Scientists at MIT have successfully synthesized verticillin A, a complex compound from fungi first discovered more than 50 years ago.3[4] This molecule differs from the related compound (+)-11,11'-dideoxyverticillin A by only two oxygen atoms, which makes its structure much more fragile and sensitive to chemical reactions.[3][1] The synthesis took 16 steps from the starting substance beta-hydroxytryptophan, with the researchers having to change the order of bond formation to achieve the correct stereochemistry.[3][2] They started with early carbon-sulfur bond formation and protected the sensitive disulfide bonds by masking them as sulfites.[2][3] After synthesis, they created derivatives of verticillin A that show potent activity against cells of a rare childhood brain cancer, diffuse medial glioma (DMG).[1][2] These derivatives are most effective against cells with high levels of the EZHIP protein, which affects DNA methylation.1 The precedent-setting success provides access to a previously unattainable class of molecules with anti-cancer potential.[3][4