Journal of Drug Discovery and Research
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Journal Highlights
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Preclinical and Translational Research
Natural Products and Drug Development
Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action
Biologics and Biopharmaceuticals
Drug Delivery Systems and Nanomedicine
Regulatory Science and Drug Approval Pathways
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Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
Medicinal chemistry is a multidisciplinary field at the heart of drug discovery and development, focusing on the design, synthesis, and optimization of biologically active compounds. It combines principles from chemistry, biology, and pharmacology to create molecules with enhanced efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties while minimizing toxicity.
A key approach within medicinal chemistry is structure-based drug design (SBDD), which relies on the three-dimensional structures of biological targets often obtained through techniques such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, or cryo-electron microscopy. By visualizing the molecular interactions between drugs and their targets, researchers can rationally design compounds that bind with high affinity and specificity.