Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
08:58
Efficient Sampling of Genetically Encoded Biosensor Design Space Enabled with a Design of Experiments and Automation Workflow
Published on: October 17, 2025
Recent trends in library design: 'rational design' revisited
1Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA. dora.schnur@bms.com
Current Opinion in Drug Discovery & Development
|April 23, 2008
Summary
Drug discovery has shifted from large, diverse libraries to smaller, focused sets. Modern approaches emphasize scaffold design and synthetic feasibility for efficient lead discovery.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Drug Discovery
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Historically, large combinatorial libraries were central to lead discovery.
- Advancements in genomics and structural biology (X-ray crystallography, homology modeling) provided more target-specific information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolution of combinatorial library design in drug discovery.
- To highlight the shift towards more focused and efficient library design strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical trends in library design methodologies.
- Analysis of the impact of technological advancements (genomics, structural biology, computational power) on library design.
Main Results:
- A transition from large, unfocused libraries to smaller, 'smarter' combinatorial and focused parallel libraries.
- Increased use of structure-based drug design tools screening large numbers of molecules.
- Emergence of scaffold design and bioisostere searching as key strategies.
Conclusions:
- Modern drug discovery prioritizes focused libraries over historically large ones.
- Synthetic feasibility is a critical consideration in contemporary library design.
- The field has evolved towards more targeted and efficient lead discovery methods.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Design Consideration
Designing a structure involves a series of considerations, primarily the material's ultimate strength, calculated through tests that measure changes under increased force until the material reaches its breaking point or limit. The ultimate load, where the material breaks, is divided by its original cross-sectional area, resulting in the ultimate normal stress or strength. The ultimate shearing stress is another significant factor taken into account.
The factor of safety is another key aspect...
The factor of safety is another key aspect...
01:26Design Example: Sustainability in Concrete Building
As the construction industry moves towards more eco-friendly practices, concrete's adaptability and its ability to incorporate sustainable features make it a key material in the drive towards greener building solutions.
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground cistern.
There are multiple approaches to achieve sustainability in a commercial concrete building. For instance, construct a concrete parking area under the building, utilizing pervious concrete paver blocks in open areas to facilitate rainwater collection through an underground cistern.
01:18Design Example: Designing Water Slide
When designing a water slide, controlling the speed of water flow is crucial for rider safety while maintaining an exciting experience. As water flows down the slide, gravity causes it to accelerate, with its speed at the bottom depending on the height from which it starts. The higher the slide, the more potential energy the water has at the top, which is converted into kinetic energy as it descends, increasing its speed.
Bernoulli's principle determines the water's velocity along the slide.
Bernoulli's principle determines the water's velocity along the slide.
01:25Design Example: Designing a Residential Plumbing System
The design of residential plumbing systems requires carefully evaluating water demand, flow rates, and pressure dynamics to ensure both efficiency and reliability. The nature of water flow within pipes is defined by its Reynolds number, which classifies flow as either laminar (smooth) or turbulent.
01:28Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
Drug design is a dynamic field that involves discovering and developing new medications based on specific biological targets. This process heavily relies on structure-activity relationships (SAR) and quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) to guide the design and optimization of efficient drugs.
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence its...
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence its...
01:23Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending
The design of prismatic beams, structural elements with a uniform cross-section, focuses on ensuring safety and structural integrity under load. The design process begins by determining the allowable stress, either from material properties tables, or by dividing the material's ultimate strength by a safety factor. This safety factor is essential for accommodating uncertainties, and varies depending on the material—timber, steel, or concrete—with each having unique strength and stress...