Three-dimensional structural information often provides the key to dis covering or designing bioactive molecules and compounds. This volume c overs the principal computational techniques for processing three-dime nsional structures of small molecules and compounds. It describes data base construction and searching, analysis of structure-activity relati onships by pharmacophore mapping and QSAR, prediction of biological po tency of small molecules and compounds by QSAR and by docking to macro molecular targets. The book also includes a chapter on de novo design of ligands to fit a macromolecular target.

Drug design is a complex, challenging and innovative research area. Structure-based molecular design has transformed the drug discovery approach in modern medicine. Traditionally, focus has been placed on computational, structural or synthetic methods only in isolation. This one-of-akind guide integrates all three skill sets for a complete picture of contemporary structure-based design. This practical approach provides the tools to develop a high-affinity ligand with drug-like properties for a given drug target for which a high-resolution structure exists. The authors use numerous examples of recently developed drugs to present "best practice" methods in structurebased drug design with both newcomers and practicing researchers in mind. By way of a carefully balanced mix of theoretical background and case studies from medicinal chemistry applications, readers will quickly and efficiently master the basic skills of successful drug design. This book is aimed at new and active medicinal chemists, biochemists, pharmacologists, natural product chemists and those working in drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. It is highly recommended as a desk reference to guide students in medicinal and chemical sciences as well as to aid researchers engaged in drug design today.

Kleine Moleküle für Einsteiger: Dieser für Lehre und Selbststudium gleichermaßen geeignete Band behandelt den computergestützten Entwurf von Wirkstoffen, Enzyminhibitoren, Sonden und Markern für Biomoleküle und führt den Leser bis zum ersten eigenen De-Novo-Design eines funktionellen Moleküls. Gestützt auf lange Erfahrung im Molecular-Modeling-Umfeld erläutern die Autoren, welche Fragen mit den beschriebenen Methoden beantwortet werden können (und welche nicht).