வேதியியல் அறிவியல் இதழ்

Organic Chemistry Vital Contribution to Drug Discovery and Development

Abstract

Ebtihal Alforjan

In the realm of healthcare and medicine, the development of new drugs is a constant pursuit aimed at alleviating human suffering and improving quality of life. Organic chemistry plays a pivotal role in this endeavour, serving as the cornerstone of drug discovery and development. Organic chemistry is the study of compounds containing carbon atoms, often bonded to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and other elements. These carbon-containing compounds are the building blocks of life, found in everything from DNA to the proteins that make up our bodies. In drug discovery, organic chemistry provides the foundation for understanding and manipulating these essential molecules. One of the primary ways organic chemistry contributes to drug discovery is through the synthesis of novel compounds. Medicinal chemists design and create new molecules with specific chemical structures that can interact with biological targets, such as proteins or enzymes. These synthetic molecules can be modified and optimized to enhance their pharmacological properties, like potency, selectivity, and safety. Organic chemistry techniques, such as retrosynthetic analysis and reaction mechanisms, guide the design and synthesis of these compounds.