{
  "id": 4711668,
  "title": "New method swaps single atom in a molecule to speed drug discovery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/new-method-swaps-single-atom-in-a-molecule-to-speed-drug-discovery",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-31T20:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-method-swaps-atom-molecule-drug.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed a new method to swap one atom within a molecule, specifically pyrroles, to create a family of molecules that are widely used in medicine. Pyrroles have unique properties that are essential to life, such as forming heme in blood that carries oxygen and chlorophyll in plants for photosynthesis. However, synthesizing pyrroles is usually expensive and time-consuming.\n\nThe innovative approach, developed by chemists Abigail Bracken and Alexa Lawrie, and their colleagues at the laboratory of Prof. Mark Levin, allows for a \"skeletal edit\" that replaces a single atom - changing a carbon atom in a pyrrole to an oxygen atom in an isoxazole. The altered molecule is much easier and cheaper to synthesize than the original pyrrole.\n\nThe new process is a one-pot reaction that can be completed in just one to two days, significantly reducing the number of steps required compared to previous methods. It also eliminates the need to start from scratch when creating new molecules. Instead, researchers can now directly convert isoxazoles - a more accessible molecule - into pyrroles, simply by adding a propargyl group and swapping an oxygen atom for a carbon atom.\n\nThis groundbreaking method could greatly accelerate drug discovery as it enables scientists to quickly test a range of pyrrole derivatives, which is crucial for understanding how drugs work and how their components perform specific functions. The technique could also be expanded to apply to other variations of molecules, offering even more possibilities for research and drug development.",
  "summary": "Swapping out one letter in a word can entirely change its meaning. Similarly, swapping one atom in a molecule can completely change its identity. A group of chemists at the University of Chicago has demonstrated a new way to make a single-atom edit to a molecule without changing any of its other components. The innovative method can be used to make a family of molecules known as pyrroles,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Scientists at University of Chicago develop method to swap single atom in pyrroles.",
    "Pyrroles have essential properties for life, but synthesis is expensive and time-consuming.",
    "One-pot reaction converts isoxazoles to pyrroles in days, accelerating drug discovery."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}