Robots accelerate antibiotic discovery with metal chemistry

Researchers at the University of York have leveraged robotic automation combined with “click” chemistry to dramatically accelerate the discovery of new antibiotics, generating over 700 unique metal-based compounds in under a week—a process that traditionally takes months. This innovative approach addresses the urgent global threat of antibiotic resistance, which currently causes over a million deaths annually and jeopardizes routine medical procedures. By focusing on metal complexes rather than conventional carbon-based molecules, the team explored a largely untapped chemical space, overcoming previous concerns about toxicity and complexity. Among the compounds synthesized and screened, an iridium-based complex emerged as a promising antibiotic candidate, demonstrating potent activity against bacteria, including MRSA-like strains, while remaining non-toxic to human cells. This compound’s high therapeutic index highlights the potential advantages of three-dimensional metal-based drugs, which may evade existing bacterial resistance mechanisms. The study not only showcases a faster, more efficient drug discovery pipeline but also challenges traditional assumptions about metal-based therapeutics. The researchers plan to further investigate the iridium compound’s