Researchers at York University in Canada utilized an advanced automation platform to synthesize over 700 complex metal complexes in just one week, and then discovered an iridium based antibiotic candidate through a rapid screening process. This drug can kill bacteria while being non-toxic to human cells, bringing new hope to the global fight against drug-resistant infections. The relevant paper was published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications. The current development of antibiotics is facing increasing challenges. For this reason, the chemistry department team at York University turned to a often overlooked field in the medical field: metal based compounds. Unlike traditional carbon based drug molecules, metal complexes have a unique three-dimensional structure, which allows them to exhibit different mechanisms in their interactions with bacteria, potentially overcoming the resistance of existing antibiotics. The team utilized an automated platform that combines "click chemistry" and robotics technology to efficiently "connect" two molecules and accelerate the screening process through robotics technology. They combined nearly 200 different molecular ligands with 5 metal elements and successfully synthesized over 700 metal complexes within a week, greatly shortening the traditional drug development cycle. By screening the antibacterial effects and toxicity to healthy human cells of these compounds, the team ultimately discovered that one of them, based on iridium metal, has significant antibacterial effects, especially when combating superbugs such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, the compound has low toxicity to human cells, indicating its high "therapeutic index", making it a highly promising candidate for antibiotics. Metal complexes are often considered toxic in antibacterial therapy, but the team found that such complexes can effectively kill bacteria without harming human cells, providing new ideas for the development of antibiotics. The team plans to expand this rapid synthesis method to other fields, such as discovering new catalysts and promoting greener and more efficient chemical reactions in industrial processes. (New Society)