Virtual chemistry speeds up drug discovery
Scripps Research scientists used computational tools to determine how to synthesize picrotoxanes (left). The tools helped analyze the behavior of intermediate molecules (right). Credit: Scripps Research. By using computer modeling to predict chemical reactions, Scripps Research scientists were able to synthesize 25 variations of a plant compound that could treat brain diseases. LA JOLLA, CA — Among the hundreds of thousands of chemical compounds produced by plants, some may hold the key to treating human
