Drug Design

This book presents various computer-aided drug discovery methods for the design and development of ligand and structure-based drug molecules. A wide variety of computational approaches are now being used in various stages of drug discovery and development, as well as in clinical studies. Yet, despite the rapid advances in computer software and hardware, combined with the exponential growth in the available biological information, there are many challenges that still need to be addressed, as this book shows.

This book contains an overview focusing on the research area of enzyme inhibitors, molecular aspects of drug metabolism, organic synthesis, prodrug synthesis, in silico studies and chemical compounds used in relevant approaches. The book deals with basic issues and some of the recent developments in medicinal chemistry and drug design. Particular emphasis is devoted to both theoretical and experimental aspect of modern drug design. The primary target audience for the book includes students, researchers, biologists, chemists, chemical engineers and professionals who are interested in associated areas. The textbook is written by international scientists with expertise in chemistry, protein biochemistry, enzymology, molecular biology and genetics many of which are active in biochemical and biomedical research.

Advances in knowledge and technology have revolutionized the process of drug development, making it possible to design drugs for a given target or disease.