Chinese scientists from the Academy of Sciences have drawn attention to three discoveries in chemistry that have already changed laboratories around the world but have not yet received the highest recognition — the Nobel Prize. These are next-generation DNA sequencing, advanced perovskite-based solar cells, and the catalysis of carbon-nitrogen bond formation. According to experts, these works underlie modern research in medicine, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
Next-generation DNA sequencing has turned genome reading from a laborious procedure into an accessible tool. The method is based on the chemical modification of nucleotides: they carry a fluorescent label and a temporary block that halts chain growth. The sequential addition of bases, signal imaging, and removal of the label make it possible to read millions of fragments simultaneously. Thanks to this, the diagnosis of rare diseases, the study of cancer, and the tracking of viral mutations have become routine.
The second candidate is perovskite solar cells. These materials, with a special crystal structure, are easily tuned to different parts of the solar spectrum. The layers can be combined with silicon in tandem cells, increasing overall efficiency. Production from solutions at low temperatures promises to reduce costs, although stability in the open air remains a serious challenge for engineers.
The third area is the reactions of carbon-nitrogen bond formation, known as Buchwald-Hartwig amination. Palladium catalysts make it possible to reliably attach nitrogen-containing groups to aromatic rings. Such bonds are found in most modern medicines, and the method has substantially expanded the possibilities for synthesizing new molecules for the pharmaceutical industry.
All three discoveries share one thing: they were born at the intersection of chemistry with other sciences and have already become indispensable tools. Chinese researchers emphasize that it was fundamental chemical solutions that made breakthroughs in genomics, renewable energy, and drug development possible. It remains to be seen whether these works will receive their long-awaited recognition.
