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2625: KCNT2 Round 5

Closed since 9 months ago

Intermediate Overall Small Molecule Design

Summary

Created
June 18, 2025
Expires
Max points
100
Description

KCNT2 is a sodium‑activated potassium channel that helps neurons reset after firing, keeping brain activity in check. Mutations in the KCNT2 gene can disrupt this balance and are linked to severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) and related seizure disorders.

Designing small‑molecule inhibitors that finely tune KCNT2 activity could open new paths to managing these conditions. In this puzzle, you’ll begin with a starter compound already docked in a KCNT2 binding pocket. Refine and reshape it into a stronger, more selective lead. Your intuition and problem‑solving skills could pave the way for future therapies targeting pediatric epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

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Comments

Sciren Staff Lv 1

Hi @"Bruno Kestemont" ! Just to give you a little background, the starting molecules for this series were selected from a list of the top results from experiments run by our collaborators. This being said, in Foldit we may have different criteria than those of the original experiments, like the Bad Groups objective. This is where your challenge begins. We need to take these compounds and make them fit the criteria we are looking for. You can look at the Compound Library in the same light. What changes need to be made to the small molecule to make it more like a make on demand compound? These are all great steps in the drug discovery process.