Drug Screening Methods

Drug discovery and development is a challenging, expensive and time consuming field of research, requiring contributions from chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, clinicians, and practitioners. The ultimate goal is to generate a safe and biologically active drug which can stall, or even reverse, the pathological events that cause the disease condition. But in the search for the drug a host of tests and trials must be applied to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the newly developed molecule in the biological system. These trials or "screening methods" are critical. On their basis, the new molecule either becomes accepted for usage, or is discarded forever. Advances in drug research have forced the need for quicker, more automated screening methods, using molecular techniques applied in vitro, in vivo and in clinical systems. Researchers need to know the latest developments outside their own speciality. With this book, Professor Gupta has brought together in one coherent volume the most up to date developments of consolidated screening methods for biological systems. By paying attention to the practical techniques used in academia and the commercial pharmaceutical industry, "Drug Screening Methods" will enjoy a broad readership, serving both the professional community and the student of pharmacology.