Selected Thoughts on Hydrophobicity in Drug Design

Abstract

The fundamental aim of drug design in research and development is to invent molecules with selective affinity towards desired disease-associated targets. At the atomic loci of binding surfaces, systematic structural variations can define affinities between drug candidates and biomolecules, and thereby guide the optimization of safety, efficacy and pharmacologic properties. Hydrophobic interaction between biomolecules and drugs is integral to binding affinity and specificity. Examples of antiviral drug discovery are discussed.

Keywords

• hydrophobic interaction
• drug design
• acyclic nucleoside phosphonates
• nucleotide antivirals