The team plans to extend the approach to create more chiral compounds for drug discovery in future work.

Nature Catalysis published a study titled, 'DNA phosphates are effective catalysts for asymmetric ion-pairing catalysis in water,' signaling potential for broader use in drug development and greener synthesis.

The method relies on ion-pairing between negatively charged DNA phosphates and positively charged reaction components to attract and orient reactants, enabling selective production of one drug enantiomer over the other.

Researchers introduced a PS scanning approach to identify which phosphate sites on DNA drive selectivity by substituting individual phosphates and observing outcomes, with computational validation from collaborators in Hong Kong.

Scientists at the National University of Singapore demonstrated that DNA phosphate groups can guide reactions, acting like tiny hands to steer toward the desired chiral form.

This DNA-enabled, environmentally friendly method could boost sustainability and efficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing, especially for complex, high-value drugs.