Discovery and Optimization of Potent and Orally Available CTP Synthetase Inhibitors for Use in Treatment of Diseases Driven by Aberrant Immune Cell Proliferation.

Herein, we report the discovery of a first-in-class chemotype 2-(alkylsulfonamido)thiazol-4-yl)acetamides that act as pan-selective inhibitors of cytidine 5'-triphosphate synthetase (CTPS1/2), critical enzymes in the pyrimidine synthesis pathway. Weak inhibitors identified from a high-throughput screening of 240K compounds have been optimized to a potent, orally active agent, compound , which has shown significant pharmacological responses at 10 mg/kg dose BID in a well-established animal model of inflammation.

Cryopreservation of Pyramimonas mucifera.

Background: It is important to appreciate microalgal diversity, better understand their ecosystem functioning and therefore implement conservation measures. The National Biodiversity Act of South Africa has a marine and coastal component which promotes such investigations.

Objective: To develop a cryostorage method for the marine unicellular algal species Pyramimonas mucifera.

Responses of the Buds of Three South African Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Accessions to Different Cryoprotectants.

Background: Plant Vitrification Solution 2 (PVS2) was reported to be a successful cryoprotectant solution in regenerating plantlets from sweet potato shoot tips after cryostorage. However, this was not the case for the South African sweet potato accessions.

Objective: This study assessed the responses of buds of sweet potato to different concentrations of the components of PVS2 both individually and in combination.

The salt glands of Tamarix usneoides E. Mey. ex Bunge (South African Salt Cedar).

Tamarix usneoides is a halophyte tree endemic to south-western Africa. This species is known to excrete a range of ions from specialized glandular structures on its leaves. To understand the mechanisms involved in the transport, sequestration and excretion of ions by the glands, a study was performed on salt gland distribution and ultrastructure.

Cold pretreatment amplifies the responses of in vitro Eucalyptus grandis shoots to cryopreparative drying.

Background: Eucalyptus grandis is an important commercial forestry species in South Africa. Little is known about its response (which is both drought and cold sensitive) to cold exposure and subsequent drying.

Objective: The study was to investigate the responses of E.