Protein-Ligand Interactions and Drug Design (Methods in Molecular Biology, 2266)

This detailed book collects modern and established computer-based methods aimed at addressing the drug discovery challenge from disparate perspectives by exploiting information on ligand-protein recognition. Beginning with methods that allow for the exploration of specific areas of chemical space and the designing of virtual libraries, the volume continues with sections on methods based on docking, quantitative models, and molecular dynamics simulations, which are employed for ligand discovery or development, as well as methods exploiting an ensemble of protein structures for the identification of potential protein targets. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. 

Flavio Ballante is a researcher in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at Uppsala University (Sweden). He graduated in Medicinal Chemistry from Sapienza University in Rome (Italy) where he also obtained a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. During his academic career, he conducted research in France (University of Lorraine, Metz), the USA (Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO), and Sweden (Uppsala University, Uppsala), working on computer-aided drug design, chemistry, and biology experiments. His primary research goals are directed toward understanding the basis for molecular recognition at the atomic level, and his scientific activity is mainly focused on the design, development, and application of computational methods for ligand discovery.