The impact of molecular biology on drug discovery.
The discipline of molecular biology has become increasingly important in recent times for the process of drug discovery. We describe the impact of molecular biology across the whole process of drug discovery and development, including (i) the identification and validation of new drug targets, (ii) the development of molecular screens to find new candidate drugs, and (iii) the generation of safety data and competences leading to enhanced clinical efficacy. We also speculate on emerging developments in drug discovery where it seems likely that molecular biology will play an even more vital role in the generation of future therapies.
Department of Molecular Biology, AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Bakewell Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 5RH, UK. Graham.Belfield@astrazeneca.com
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Belfield
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Delaney
D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D012449:Safety