Breaking Barriers in Drug Discovery: Novel Methodologies and Mechanisms of Action

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that encompass in silico, in vitro, in vivo and in chemico approaches are profoundly transforming drug discovery. These methodologies integrate computational modeling and read-across methods powered by artificial intelligence (AI), high-throughput screening (HTS) and imaging (HTI) bioassays, advanced imaging/scanning techniques, omics applications, cell cultures and tissue/organ engineering. Consequently, NAMs have enabled the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the elucidation of new mechanisms of drug action. We anticipate these innovative techniques to be applied more integrally and future drugs to be designed more intelligently, developed more effectively with lower failure rates, launched more quickly to market, and eventually used more efficiently to cure diseases.

To reflect the crucial role played by advanced NAMs in the field of drug discovery, The Internal Journal of Molecular Sciences is launching a Special Issue focused on recent advances in drug discovery. This Special Issue will address the development and large-scale application of new drugs of any type or the elucidation of new mechanisms of action for existing drugs using the aforementioned methodologies. We welcome the submission of research on breakthroughs or improvements to existing technology platforms, methodologies, or paradigms. Furthermore, we encourage researchers to present innovative solutions with the potential to become routine methods and address some fundamental problems in drug discovery. Ultimately, we hope that the articles collected in this Special Issue provide novel insights into how advanced NAMs are applied throughout the entire drug discovery process, thereby facilitating and enhancing drug development.

Dr. Likun Gong
Dr. Qiuping Qin
Dr. Jing Chen
Guest Editors

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