Molecular Recognition in Pharmacology

This  unique volume traces the behavior of the drug substance, starting from  the initial pre-contact stage, and ending with the formation of the  complex. Molecular recognition lies in the foundation of every life form  and includes many mysteries. Currently, studies on this topic in  pharmacology are limited to determining the properties of complexes of  medicinal substances (drugs) with specific (complementary) biomolecules:  receptors, enzymes, ion channels etc. The results present the  mechanisms preventing drugs from such non-specific binding. This  direction is very fruitful, although the phenomenon of molecular  recognition is far wider.

Features

• Presents the basics of thermodynamics and kinetics of complex formation between ligands and receptors
• Selected novel therapeutic concepts are tested and validated
• Provides a review of the pharmacophore approach and drug design methods
• By  its nature, pharmacology is a multi-disciplinary science, hence,  disciplinary areas include chemistry, biology and neuroscience
• Discusses hot topics including 3D structure determination techniques and in silico methods and neural networks

The  main theme of the book is the consideration of mechanisms created by  nature to protect physiologically active substances from being stuck on  nonspecific acceptors in the body. The book describes the materials that  aid in the development of new medicinal substances. It is intended for  researchers, as well as upper-level undergraduate and graduate students  interested in the problems of molecular pharmacology and drug design.