Issue 59, 2025

Recent advances in DNA-encoded libraries

Abstract

The DNA-encoded library (DEL), a novel high-throughput screening platform that synergistically combines the strengths of combinatorial chemistry and genetic barcoding, has transitioned from a theoretical framework to a valuable technology within the pharmaceutical research landscape. As an emerging platform for drug discovery, DEL technology has undergone rapid evolution over the past thirty years. This review aims to highlight remarkable advancements in DELs over the past five years across multiple dimensions, including encoding methods, DEL-compatible chemistry, selection methods, library design, and hit picking. It also delves into the issues that have been successfully addressed and the breakthroughs achieved. Finally, this review proposes practical strategies and outlines future research directions that have the potential to further propel the development of DELs in the upcoming five years, aiming to provide valuable insights for drug discovery endeavors.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in DNA-encoded libraries

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
22 May 2025
Accepted
20 Jun 2025
First published
23 Jun 2025

Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10952-10968

Recent advances in DNA-encoded libraries

Y. Gao, J. Liu, S. Huang, N. Du, G. Zhang and Y. Li, Chem. Commun., 2025, 61, 10952 DOI: 10.1039/D5CC02904J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements