Researchers at KAIST created an unmanned synthesis platform using robots and visible light to automate the production of N-methyl pyrrole drug candidates.
Key facts
- •KAIST researchers led by Professor Yoonsu Park developed an unmanned synthesis platform using visible light and continuous-flow processes.
- •The platform automates the entire workflow from mixing raw materials to synthesis and analysis, reducing the burden of repetitive experiments.
- •The team developed a single-atom editing method that converts furans into N-methyl pyrroles by replacing oxygen with nitrogen.
- •The method was successfully applied to more than 20 furan-based compounds, including complex natural products.
- •The technology is published in JACS Au (2026) and aims to accelerate the identification of promising drug candidates.
A research team led by Professor Yoonsu Park at KAIST has developed an unmanned synthesis platform that uses robots and visible light to automate the entire process of producing drug candidates. The system integrates raw-material dispensing, continuous-flow reaction, and analysis into a single automated workflow. By applying this technology to a single-atom editing method, the team successfully synthesized the N-methyl pyrrole scaffold, a key molecular framework in pharmaceutical development.
Automated Continuous-Flow System
The platform combines a raw-material dispensing robot, automated pumps, a light-irradiation reaction system, and analytical equipment. Once conditions are set, the robot mixes raw materials, and pumps feed the solution through a narrow tube at a constant rate. Visible light is directed onto the tube to induce the chemical reaction, a method known as a continuous-flow process. This approach allows for even light distribution and scalable production by operating the process for longer periods.
Single-Atom Editing Method
The team developed a method to replace the oxygen atom of furan with nitrogen, directly converting furans into N-methyl pyrroles. This single-atom editing technique selectively modifies a specific atom while keeping the overall molecular framework intact. The resulting compounds can alter how a drug binds to proteins in the body, making the technology relevant for optimizing drug efficacy and safety.
Experimental Results and Application
The researchers applied the synthetic method to more than 20 furan-based compounds, including structurally complex natural products. The system successfully modified the desired portions of these molecules while leaving the rest of the structure intact. The automated workflow allows for the continuous production of the N-methyl pyrrole scaffold, facilitating the comparison of compounds with slightly different structures to identify promising drug candidates.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Phys.org.
