Photochemical protein modification in complex biological environments: recent advances and considerations for future chemical methods development

The development of organic reactions that covalently modify biological matter in complex biological mixtures has become an invaluable asset in drug discovery. Out of the techniques developed to date, optically controlled chemistries are of particular utility owing to both the spatiotemporal control afforded by optical control as well as the impressive array of transformations that are driven by the highly reactive intermediates generated upon excitation. This minireview discusses recent advances in the development of photochemical reactions for use in complex mixtures and highlights key considerations for future photochemical reaction designs.