bioorthogonal chemistry
Quick Summary
Bioorthogonal chemistry involves using chemical reactions that can occur within living systems without interfering with natural biological processes. This field was coined by Carolyn R. Bertozzi, who demonstrated that specific reactions, known as click reactions, could be performed inside living cells.1
These reactions allow scientists to map molecules and understand cell functions in real-time. Bertozzi developed optimized bioorthogonal reactions, including the strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition, which are highly effective and do not require toxic copper ions. This approach has significantly advanced biomedical research, aiding in areas like cancer drug development and molecular imaging.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
