Pure Appl. Chem., 2006, Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 1-14
doi:10.1351/pac200678010001
Evolutionary approaches for the discovery of functional synthetic small molecules*
Zev J. Gartner
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94702, USA
Abstract:
Directed evolution is a powerful method for the
laboratory discovery of nucleic acids and proteins with desired functional
properties. A hallmark of this approach is the iterative translation, selection,
amplification, and diversification of genetic information. The potential
of evolutionary methods to impact the discovery of synthetic small molecules
has recently been explored by a variety of laboratories. Four methods encompassing
some or all of the hallmarks of evolution are discussed, including dynamic
combinatorial chemistry (DCC), genetic algorithms (GAs), DNA display, and
DNA-templated synthesis (DTS).
Keywords: bottom-up synthesis; directed evolution; DNA display; DNA-templated synthesis; dynamic combinatorial chemistry; genetic algorithms; nanotechnology.
*Pure Appl. Chem. 78, 1-64 (2006). A collection of invited, peer-reviewed articles by the winners of the 2005 IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists.