What is the future of click chemistry in drug discovery and development?

INTRODUCTION: The concept of click chemistry was introduced in 2001 as an effective, efficient, and sustainable approach to making functional groups harnessing the thermodynamic properties of a set of known chemical reactions that are based on nature. Some of the most common examples include reactions that produce 1,2,3-triazoles, which have been used with great success in drug discovery and development, and in chemical biology. The reactions unite two molecules quickly and irreversibly, and the reactions can be performed inside living cells, without harming the cell. AREAS COVERED: The main focus of this perspective is the future of click chemistry in drug discovery and development, exemplified by novel click chemistry approaches and other aspects of the drug development enterprise, like SPAAC and analogous techniques, PROTACs, as well as diversity-oriented click chemistry. EXPERT OPINION: Drug discovery and development has benefited enormously from the amazing advances that have been made in the field of click chemistry since 2001. The methods most likely to have the most future applications include metal-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions giving 1,2,3-triazoles, SPAAC for medical diagnostics and vaccine development, other congeners, Sulfur-Fluoride Exchange (SuFEx) and Diversity-Oriented Clicking (DOC), a concept with diverse molecular methodology with the potential for obtaining extensive molecular diversity.

A Importância da atuação do odontolegista no processo de identificação humana de vítimas de desastre aéreo / The Importance of the dental expert´s role in human identification process of air disaster victms

O campo de atuação do Odontolegista abrange desde perícias em foro administrativo, criminal, cível até a identificação humana. O papel deste profissional na identificação é de extrema importância em casos de acidentes de massa, destacando-se o desastre aéreo que, por sua dimensão, resulta em cadáveres carbonizados, fragmentados e, muitas vezes, em estado avançado de decomposição. Diante dessas circunstâncias, o método de comparação odontológica torna-se imprescindível, sendo ainda uma técnica de fácil execução, não onerosa, eficaz e rápida diante da necessidade de grande quantidade de identificações em um curto espaço de tempo. Objetivo: Pelo exposto, o presente estudo tem por objetivo analisar o perfil profissional bem como a atuação do odontolegista no contexto de atividades de identificação humana de vítimas de desastre aéreo ocorridos na última década, no Brasil. Material e método: A metodologia utilizada envolveu revisão de literatura e, em seguida, pesquisa de campo, com realização de entrevistas com três cirurgiões-dentistas que participaram da identificação de vítimas em desastres aéreos ocorridos no Brasil e posterior análise das mesmas. Resultados: Os resultados apontam para uma confluência entre as opiniões dos entrevistados quanto a: importância do odontolegista e dos registros odontológicos. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a atuação do odontolegista é fundamental no processo de identificação de vítimas de acidente aéreo; que as maiores dificuldades encontradas na identificação dessas vítimas são o fato da maioria delas estarem carbonizadas e/ou fragmentadas e pela ausência de material antemortem para realização de confronto odontológico; e que o Brasil deveria preparar-se melhor para atuar com eficiência diante dessa modalidade de desastre de massa.

The dental expert´s range from expertise in administrative, criminal or civil courts to human identification. The role of this professional in identification is extremely important in cases of mass casualties, especially concerning the air crash, which, in dimension, results in charred bodies, or fragmented ones and often in an advanced state of decomposition. Under these circumstances, the method of dental comparison becomes essential, and also a simple technique, not expensive, quick and effective due to the need of a large number of identifications in a short time. Objective: Given the above, this study aims to examine the professional profile as well as the role of dental expert?s in the context of activities in human identification of air disaster victims occurred in the last decade in Brazil. Material and method: The methodology consisted in literature review and, then, research, involving interviews with three dentists that participated in the identification of air disaster victims that occurred in Brazil, and further analysis of their reports. Results: The results point out to a convergence between the views of respondents regarding: the importance of the dental expert?s and of the dental records. Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that the performance of the dental expert?s is crucial in the process of identification of airplane crash victims; that the greatest difficulties in identifying these victims are the fact that most of them were burned and / or fragmented and the lack of antemortem material to conduct dental confrontation; and that Brazil should be better prepared to act efficiently on this kind of mass disaster.