Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have made a significant advancement in drug development by creating a method to insert a single nitrogen atom into molecules, as detailed in their recent publication in the journal Science. Led by associate professor Indrajeet Sharma, this innovative process, known as skeletal editing, utilizes a short-lived chemical called sulfenylnitrene to enhance the biological and pharmacological properties of existing drug molecules. Given that nitrogen plays a crucial role in many FDA-approved drugs, this method promises to increase drug diversity and reduce production costs, potentially making healthcare more accessible, particularly for underserved populations. Sharma’s approach offers a more efficient pathway to drug discovery by modifying existing compounds rather than developing new ones from scratch, which could profoundly impact treatment strategies for diseases like cancer and neurological disorders.