DNA-encoded chemical libraries

The discovery and development of novel drugs for the multitude of targets originating from functional genomic research is a challenging task. While antibodies can nowadays be raised against virtually any given target using phage-display methodologies, a similar "selection/amplification" approach for the facile discovery of low-molecular weight compounds capable of specific binding to protein targets of choice has so far been lacking. The development of DNA-encoded chemical libraries, combined with suitable selection and high-throughput sequencing strategies, holds promises to fill this gap. Here, we review the latest developments in the field of DNA-encoded chemical libraries, commenting on the challenges and opportunities for the different experimental strategies in this rapidly evolving research area, which may gain importance for the future drug discovery process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.