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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

A Web Tool for Generating High Quality Machine-readable Biological Pathways
Published on: February 8, 2017
Building better bioorthogonal reactions
Hui-Wen Shih1, David N Kamber1, Jennifer A Prescher2
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
Abstract:
Over the past two decades, there has been intense interest in designing and implementing selective (bioorthogonal) reactions for biomolecule tracking. Here we review the most widely used bioorthogonal chemistries in live cells and animals, drawing particular attention to the unique functional groups underlying these transformations. We also describe recent efforts to tune functional group reactivities and stabilities to access even more rapid and selective chemistries. Last, we highlight ongoing challenges in identifying new bioorthogonal reagents and combinations of reactions that can be used concurrently to tag multiple biomolecules.
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