title: Stemistry: the control of stem cells in situ using chemistry.
abstract: A new paradigm for drug research has emerged, namely the deliberate search for molecules able to selectively affect the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of adult stem cells within the tissues in which they exist. Recently, there has been significant interest in medicinal chemistry toward the discovery and design of low molecular weight molecules that affect stem cells and thus have novel therapeutic activity. We believe that a successful agent from such a discover program would have profound effects on the treatment of many long-term degenerative disorders. Among these conditions are examples such as cardiovascular decay, neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, and macular degeneration, all of which have significant unmet medical needs. This perspective will review evidence from the literature that indicates that discovery of such agents is achievable and represents a worthwhile pursuit for the skills of the medicinal chemist.
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Kennewell
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.|‡Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, U.K.
authors.forename: Angela J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Seden
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Westwood
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, U.K.
authors.forename: Graham M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wynne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006413:Hematopoietic System / Q000187:drug effects*; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057905:Stem Cell Research; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries