Ring-shaped Nonribosomal Peptides (IMAGE) University of California - San Diego Caption Researchers have invented computational tools to decode and rapidly determine whether natural compounds collected in oceans and forests are new -- or if these pharmaceutically promising compounds have already been described and are therefore not patentable. This University of California, San Diego, advance will finally enable scientists to rapidly characterize ring-shaped nonribosomal peptides -- a class of natural compounds of intense interest due to their potential to yield or inspire new pharmaceuticals. The study will be published in the July 13 online issue of journal Nature Methods. Credit UC San Diego Usage Restrictions credit: UC San Diego License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.