The present work offers a snapshot of the state-of-the-art of
crystallographic, analytical, and computational methods used in modern
drug design and development. Topics discussed include: drug design
against complex systems (membrane proteins, cell surface receptors,
epigenetic targets, and ribosomes); modulation of protein-protein
interactions; the impact of small molecule structures in drug discovery
and the application of concepts such as molecular geometry,
conformation, and flexibility to drug design; methodologies for
understanding and characterizing protein states and protein-ligand
interactions during the drug design process; and monoclonal antibody
therapies. These methods are illustrated through their application to
problems of medical and biological significance, such as viral and
bacterial infections, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and CNS diseases. As
approaches to drug discovery have changed over time, so have the
methodologies used to solve the varied, new, and difficult problems
encountered in drug discovery. In recent years we have seen great
progress in the fields of genetics, biology, chemistry, and medicine,
but there are still many unmet medical needs, from bacterial infections
to cancer to chronic maladies, that require novel, different, or better
therapies. This work will be of interest to researchers and policy
makers interested in the latest developments in drug design.