Time: 2024-08-20
MIT chemists have recently developed a groundbreaking method for synthesizing complex molecules known as oligocyclotryptamines . These molecules , originally isolated from plants and comprising multiple tricyclic substructures called cyclotryptamines fused together by carbon - carbon bonds , have shown potential applications as antibiotics , analgesics , and cancer drugs . The team , led by Mohammad Movassaghi , a professor of chemistry at MIT , has devised a technique that allows for the precise assembly of these rings and control of the 3D orientation of each component in the final product.
The compounds of oligocyclotryptamines are part of a class of molecules called alkaloids , nitrogen - containing organic compounds mainly produced by plants . While at least eight different oligocyclotryptamines have been identified in plants , synthesizing them in the lab has been a challenging task due to the intricate carbon - carbon bonds required . Movassaghi 's team 's innovative approach not only enables the synthesis of these plant - derived compounds but also opens up opportunities to create new variants with potentially enhanced medicinal properties or molecular probes to uncover their mechanisms of action.
The researchers ' method involves adding tryptamine - derived components one at a time to a molecule , allowing for the precise construction of the rings and control of stereochemistry . By utilizing a diazene - directed assembly process developed by Movassaghi 's lab , the team successfully synthesized molecules with six or seven cyclotryptamine rings , a feat never achieved before . This breakthrough in Chemical synthesis has garnered praise from experts in the field , describing it as a " tour de force " in organic chemistry.
With the ability to generate these rare oligocyclotryptamines in the lab , researchers can now explore their therapeutic potential more extensively . Movassaghi envisions further studies to investigate the compounds ' medicinal properties and the creation of novel derivatives by introducing slightly different cyclotryptamine subunits . This innovative method not only addresses the challenge of synthesizing complex molecules but also paves the way for future advancements in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
The successful synthesis of these plant - derived molecules represents a significant advancement in the field of chemical synthesis , offering new possibilities for drug development and molecular research . Movassaghi and his team 's work demonstrates the power of innovative chemistry in unlocking the potential of natural compounds for medical applications.
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