Editorial (hot topic: trends in drug discovery and development (guest editor: sanjay v. Malhotra)).

摘要

Biochemical processes within a cell or an organism are usually instigated by molecular interaction and/or recognition events. Therefore, understanding the molecular biology and genetics of a disease is vital in designing the newer generation of molecularly targeted agents. Knowledge regarding the molecular basis of disease pathogenesis, genetic and epigenetic changes with disease progression, dysregulation of key cellular pathways for cell survival and proliferation, needs to be considered in the successful design and development of new agents for the treatment of the various stages of a disease, with the ultimate goal of cure. Manipulating living systems at the molecular level requires profound knowledge of the variability of small molecule effects that probe a particular cellular response. The successful discovery and design of molecular medicine is highly dependent upon the creative interplay of many scientific disciplines. Selection of articles in this issue provides a glimpse of the breadth and extent of fascinating research that is being conducted in the pursuit of developing effective medicines.