Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Nano-Differential Scanning Fluorimetry for Screening in Fragment-based Lead Discovery
Published on: May 16, 2021
The role of long-range intermolecular interactions in discovery of new drugs
Nevena Veljkovic1, Sanja Glisic, Vladimir Perovic
1University of Belgrade, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca , Center for Multidisciplinary Research, P.O.Box 522, 11001 Belgrade , Serbia +381 11 2453 686 ; +381 11 3440 100 ; vv@vinca.rs.
Introduction:
Long-range intermolecular interactions (interactions at distances between 100 and 1000 Å) play an important role in the interaction between drugs and therapeutic targets, and design techniques based on this concept could significantly improve and accelerate new drug discovery. Understanding these long-range intermolecular interactions will also help further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and the underlying basic biological processes.
Areas Covered:
This article looks at the physical bases of long-range intermolecular interactions in biological systems with a brief review of the literature data to support this concept. The article also gives some examples of techniques used in drug discovery that were based on the long-range intermolecular interaction concept.
Expert Opinion:
The electron-ion interaction potential (EIIP) and average quasivalence number (AQVN) concepts shed new light on the role of long-range intermolecular interactions in biological systems. Further research of physicochemical mechanisms underlying long-range interactions between biological molecules is necessary for a better understanding of the basic biological processes. The addition of the computer-aided design techniques based on the EIIP/AQVN concept to the research and development will lead not only to a significant reduction in cost but also to an acceleration in the development of new drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Discovery: Overview
Drug-Receptor Bonds
In...
Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
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...
Drug-Receptor Interactions
Several parameters, such as the drug's affinity for its receptor and its efficacy, which is its ability to activate the receptor, determine the drug's effect on the tissue.
Pharmacodynamics: Overview and Principles
Most drugs' effects result from their interactions with drug receptors or targets within the body. These interactions trigger specific responses at the cellular or systemic level. Drug receptors can be found on the surfaces of cells or within...
Protein-protein Interfaces
