EU researchers are synthesising artificial molecules - foldamers, which mimic the folding of some proteins. As such, they may be able to bind to proteins, disrupt protein-protein interactions, and eventually cure some diseases.
The FOLDAPPI (Foldamers against protein-protein interactions) project focused on interactions between interleukin 4 (IL-4) and its receptor. IL-4 is a key regulator of the immune system. Its significance to the FOLDAPPI project is its involvement in misguided immune reactions such as allergy and asthma.
Further details: Foldamer folding manipulated