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New roles for structure in biology and drug discovery

Nature Structural Biology volume 7, pages 928–930 (2000)Cite this article

Structural genomics promises to capitalize upon numerous advances in science and technology to change our appreciation and understanding of biological systems forever. With the potential to impact heavily on the design of new pharmaceuticals, structural genomics will take a place alongside high throughput chemistry and screening as an integral platform approach underpinning modern drug discovery. In the form of a new inter-disciplinary endeavor attempting to capitalize on technical advances on a grand scale, the ultimate aim of its practitioners will be to provide structural information for all known proteins. Like the large-scale genomic sequencing projects that have been running for more than a decade, this will involve profound changes in thinking and approach. Instead of developing a specific biological justification in advance of working on a protein, crystallographers and NMR spectroscopists can now consider the determination of structures for all proteins in an organism. Thus, in at least one manifestation of such an endeavor, this implies a potentially difficult move away from hypothesis driven research to a system of solving structures first and asking questions later.

At first glance, the task at hand may appear simple — escalate what has been happening in determining macromolecular structures for the last ten years — but far more is involved. An initiative of this type will benefit from coordinated efforts as have never been seen before, since expertise is required in many subdisciplines spanning biology, chemistry and physics, and the contribution each makes must change significantly from what it has been in the past.

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  1. SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Research & Development, New Frontiers Science Park North, 3rd Avenue, Harlow, CM19 5AW, Essex, UK

    Robert B. Russell & Drake S. Eggleston

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  1. Robert B. Russell
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Correspondence to Drake S. Eggleston.

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Russell, R., Eggleston, D. New roles for structure in biology and drug discovery. Nat Struct Mol Biol 7 (Suppl 11), 928–930 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/80691

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