Mirror, Mirror Makes RNA-targeted Discovery Smarter

By Zhen Chen, Senior Principal Scientist

Targeting RNA with small molecules has long been seen as one of drug discovery’s most promising—but technically challenging—frontiers. Traditional screening tools often fall short because DNA-encoded libraries can inadvertently hybridize with RNA, creating false positives and masking genuine hits. A mirror‑image DEL approach is now changing what’s possible. By screening against L‑RNA, a chiral counterpart that mirrors natural RNA structure without hybridizing to DNA tags, the method removes the primary barrier that has limited RNA‑directed DEL screening for years. The result is clearer signals, stronger enrichment of true binders, and the ability to surface novel chemical matter across diverse RNA targets. This strategy dramatically expands what teams can explore at the earliest stages of discovery.

Explore the full article to learn how mirror‑image screening opens new doors for RNA‑targeted therapeutics.