From The Conversation · Cedric Schaack · · 1m 50s
Molecule Handedness Determines Drug Effectiveness
Chirality explains why some drugs work and others cause birth defects.
In brief
Chirality explains why some drugs work and others cause birth defects. Thalidomide's mirror-image forms caused birth defects, while ibuprofen's single form works in the body. Originally reported by The Conversation.
Quick answers
- What is Chirality?
- Chirality describes objects that have mirror images which cannot be superimposed on the original.
- What is the key takeaway from Molecule Handedness Determines Drug Effectiveness?
- Thalidomide's mirror-image forms caused birth defects, while ibuprofen's single form works in the body.
Nobel Prize for Chirality
Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai won the 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry for their work on chiral molecules.
What is Chirality?
Chirality describes objects that have mirror images which cannot be superimposed on the original.
Chirality in Daily Life
Your hands are mirror images that cannot be laid on top of each other with palms facing the same way.
Homochirality in Life
Nearly every protein on Earth uses one mirror-image form of each amino acid, and DNA assembles to form helices of one chirality.
Racemic Mixtures
Chemists create racemic mixtures, an even 50:50 blend of both mirror-image forms of a molecule.
Kagan's Catalyst Discovery
Kagan found a catalyst that speeds up reactions without needing molecules of the same handedness.
Soai's Self-Replicating Molecule
Soai discovered a molecule that makes copies of itself favoring its own mirror-image form.
Thalidomide Tragedy
Thalidomide caused birth defects in over 10,000 children after being prescribed for morning sickness.
Ibuprofen's Chirality
Ibuprofen's S form blocks pain signals, while the R form is largely inactive in the body.
L-DOPA for Parkinson's
L-DOPA helps Parkinson's patients by converting to dopamine in the brain.
Glucose's Chirality
D-glucose is the form cells use for energy, while L-glucose does not raise blood sugar.
Chirality Beyond Medicine
Chiral molecules emit circularly polarized light for displays and security tags.
Why Handedness Matters
A drug's mirror image may fit perfectly with receptors or cause unintended side effects.
The Consequence
Controlling chirality ensures drugs work without causing birth defects or side effects.
What it means
Thalidomide's mirror-image forms caused birth defects, while ibuprofen's single form works in the body.
