"Revolutionary Catalyst: Minimizing Drug Side Effects from Within the Body"
Chemists at RIKEN have developed a highly active catalyst that can synthesize drug molecules within the body, potentially minimizing side effects. By using a protective protein called human serum albumin to encase a ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalyst, the team demonstrated the successful assembly of drugs near target sites in mice, leading to the suppression of tumor growth. The albumin-based catalyst showed stability in blood and the potential for synthesizing various bioactive molecules, offering a promising approach for treating diseases without causing side effects in healthy tissues.