X. R. Ma

Aberrant phase separation is a common killing strategy of positively charged peptides in biology and human disease

The paper identifies a common toxic mechanism in positively charged peptides across species and develops a machine learning tool to detect it.

A Systematic Survey of Reversibly Covalent Dipeptidyl Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

This study systematically evaluates dipeptidyl inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease, identifying compounds with high antiviral potency and low cytotoxicity.

The N-Terminal Carbamate is Key to High Cellular and Antiviral Potency for Boceprevir-Based SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors

This paper identifies that a P4 N-terminal carbamate in boceprevir-based inhibitors is crucial for high antiviral potency against SARS-CoV-2.

The P3 O-Tert-Butyl-Threonine is Key to High Cellular and Antiviral Potency for Aldehyde-Based SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors

This study identifies O-tert-butyl-threonine at the P3 site as critical for enhancing cellular and antiviral potency of MPro inhibitors.

MPI8 is Potent Against SARS-CoV-2 by Inhibiting Dually and Selectively the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and the Host Cathepsin L

The paper evaluates MPro inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2, finding MPI8 selectively inhibits both MPro and host cathepsin L, enhancing antiviral efficacy with reduced toxicity.

Cellular Activities of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Reveal Their Unique Characteristics

This paper evaluates the cellular potency of SARS-CoV-2 MPro inhibitors using a fluorescent flow cytometry assay, revealing that most inhibitors have weak cellular activity despite strong antiviral effects.

A Speedy Route to Multiple Highly Potent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors

This study designs and synthesizes potent SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors, with some showing IC50 values below 100 nM and high virus inhibition potency in cell assays.