Molecular mirror images assigned: Safer drugs thanks to a new solution to a 150-year-old chemistry problem?
Friday, September 13, 2013 - 09:00
in Physics & Chemistry
Just like gloves, molecules come in so-called left-handed and right-handed versions. Until now, however, it could be determined only with great difficulty whether a certain molecule is right-handed or left-handed. In medicine, this would be a big step forward because, for example, the unwanted side effects of drugs could be avoided. In the current issue of the journal Science, a team of researchers from Germany, Canada and Switzerland reports a new solution to a 150-year old problem.