Introduction: A Journey Through Chemical Innovation
For six decades, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has been at the forefront of chemical research, transforming our understanding of the molecular world and developing technologies that have improved countless lives. From creating life-saving antiviral medications to pioneering sustainable materials and cutting-edge spectroscopic techniques, CAS institutions have consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in chemistry. 1
The significance of CAS's contributions extends far beyond laboratory walls—they have impacted global healthcare, environmental protection, energy solutions, and technological advancement. As we explore key breakthroughs, revolutionary experiments, and the tools that made them possible, we discover how molecular transformations have led to real-world transformations in how we live, heal, and interact with our world.
60+
Years of Chemical Innovation
15+
Drugs Developed from CAS Research
Historical Milestones: Six Decades of Discovery
The history of chemistry at CAS is marked by pioneering institutions and visionary scientists whose work has laid the foundation for advancements across chemical disciplines.
1960
Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter (FJIRSM) was founded, conducting fundamental research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. 3
1959
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry pioneered polymer science under Professor Otto Wichterle, revolutionizing corrective eye care with soft contact lenses. 1
1980s-1990s
CAS expanded into medicinal chemistry and biochemistry, with IOCB becoming a world leader in antiviral drug development. 4
2000s-Present
Interdisciplinary collaboration led to breakthroughs in drug discovery, renewable energy, and sustainable materials. 4
Major CAS Chemistry Institutes and Their Focus Areas
| Institute Name | Founded | Key Research Focus Areas | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter | 1960 | Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, Material Chemistry | 60 years of fundamental research in structure-property relationships 3 |
| Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry | 1959 | Polymer Science, Soft Materials | Invention of soft contact lenses, HemaGel wound healing gel 1 |
| Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | 1953 | Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Synthesis | Development of antiviral drugs including HIV treatments 4 |
The Key Experiment: Revolutionizing HIV Treatment
Background and Methodology
The collaboration between Professor Antonín Holý (IOCB) and Belgian virologist Erik DeClercq in the 1970s began with studying new compounds in nucleic acids that might prove effective against viruses. 4
The research methodology included:
- Compound Synthesis: Designing novel acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues
- Initial Screening: First samples sent to DeClercq's laboratory in 1976
- Iterative Optimization: Cycles of molecular design and testing
- Mechanism Studies: Investigating viral replication processes
Results and Analysis
One of the first substances demonstrated significant effectiveness against viruses, leading to the antiherpetic drug Duviragel. 4
The third series of tests resulted in three groundbreaking drugs:
- Vistide against varicella and other viruses
- Hepsera for hepatitis B
- Viread for HIV
These compounds represented a paradigm shift in antiviral therapy due to their chemical stability. 4
Timeline of Key Antiviral Drug Development at IOCB
| Year | Development | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | First samples sent to DeClercq | Beginning of collaboration 4 |
| 1977-1984 | Development of Duviragel | First antiherpetic drug from collaboration 4 |
| 1985 | Development of Vistide, Hepsera, Viread | Breakthrough against multiple viruses 4 |
| 1990s-2000s | Combination therapies | Transformative HIV treatment regimens 4 |
| 2000s-present | Royalties exceeding $90 million annually | Funding further research and facility expansion 4 |
Impact and Significance
The development of these antiviral drugs represents one of the most successful examples of translational chemistry in CAS history. The partnership with Gilead Sciences made these treatments available globally, dramatically improving outcomes for people with HIV and other viral infections. 4
Advances in Materials and Nanoscience
Beyond biomedical applications, CAS institutions have made substantial contributions to materials chemistry and nanoscience. The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry has developed an impressive portfolio of polymer-based technologies, including HemaGel for wound healing, polymer particles for artificial joints, and advanced processes for recycling polymers. 1
The Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter has spent six decades exploring how molecular structure determines material function across various domains of nanoscience and nanotechnology. 3
Researchers at Xiamen University have pioneered electrochemical optical spectroscopy, developing sophisticated methods to observe chemical reactions in real time at electrode surfaces.
Advanced materials research at CAS has led to innovations in multiple fields
Evolution of Electrochemical Optical Spectroscopy Techniques
| Time Period | Development Phase | Key Innovations | Representative Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s-1980s | Proof-of-concept | First EC-ellipsometry, EC-UV-Vis, EC-IR, EC-Raman | Study of electrochemical product formation |
| 1980s-1990s | Plasmonic enhancement | Emergence of EC-SERS, EC-SEIRAS | Detection of sub-monolayer molecules on electrodes |
| 1990s-2010s | Well-defined surfaces | EC techniques on single-crystal electrodes | Adsorption studies at atomic level |
| 2010s-present | Operando spectroscopy | Real-time monitoring under working conditions | Battery research, catalytic reactions |
Biomedical Contributions and Public Health Impact
Medicinal Chemistry
Development of pharmaceuticals against leukemia, cancer, AIDS, and hepatitis 4
Biochemistry
Study of enzyme structure, viral protein components, and bioactive peptides 4
Natural Products
Investigation of plant materials, insect communication substances, and pheromones 4
Antimicrobial Research
New avenues for addressing antibiotic resistance through peptide research 4
Translation to Practice
The IOCB's success is evidenced by more than 15 drugs and other products currently produced by various companies based on patents held by the Institute. The establishment of IOCB TTO s.r.o., the Institute's technology transfer office, has created a systematic approach to moving discoveries from the laboratory to practical applications. 4
The Research Toolkit: Essential Technologies and Reagents
The remarkable achievements over six decades of chemistry research at CAS have been enabled by sophisticated research tools and technologies that have evolved from basic analytical techniques to highly specialized instrumentation.
Key Research Reagent Solutions
Modified Biosequences
Over 2 million unique biosequences available through the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform facilitate research in biologics drug discovery and molecular biology. 2
Nucleoside Analogues
Acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues developed at IOCB have become essential tools for studying viral replication mechanisms. 4
Polymer Libraries
Diverse collections of synthetic polymers with varying properties enable materials research for biomedical devices to energy storage. 1
SERS Substrates
Specially designed nanostructured surfaces that dramatically enhance Raman signals, allowing detection of single molecules.
Instrumentation and Analytical Techniques
- Electrochemical Optical Spectroscopy: Combining electrochemical control with optical measurements
- High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Determining molecular structures with exceptional accuracy
- X-ray Crystallography: Revealing atomic-level structures of molecules 3
- NMR Spectroscopy: Characterizing molecular structures and dynamics
- Computational Chemistry Tools: Predicting molecular properties and reaction mechanisms
Conclusion: The Future of Chemistry at CAS
As we reflect on sixty years of chemical research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, we see a trajectory of continuous advancement and expanding impact. From fundamental discoveries about molecular structure and reactivity to life-saving medical treatments and sustainable materials, CAS institutions have demonstrated the central role of chemistry in addressing human needs and global challenges. 1 3 4
The future of chemistry at CAS will likely be characterized by increased interdisciplinary collaboration, greater integration of artificial intelligence and automation, heightened focus on sustainability, and continued translation of basic discoveries into practical applications that benefit society.
The next sixty years of chemistry at CAS will likely see breakthroughs in areas we can only begin to imagine—perhaps molecular machines, adaptive materials, personalized medicine based on individual chemical profiles, or revolutionary approaches to carbon capture and energy storage.
As Professor Zhong-Qun Tian and colleagues noted in their review of electrochemical optical spectroscopy, we are moving from studying idealized interfaces to understanding practical interphases under working conditions—a shift that mirrors the broader transition throughout chemistry from isolated investigations to integrated approaches that address real-world complexity. This evolution promises to make the next sixty years of chemistry at CAS even more impactful than the last.