IntroductionCombinatorial chemistry evolved as a key technology for the rapid generation of large populations of structurally distinct molecules that can be screened efficiently en masse for desirable properties. This approach, in combination with highthroughput screening, evolved into a powerful technique capable of significantly accelerating the drug discovery process [1]. Initially developed to produce peptide libraries for screening against antibodies or receptors, combinatorial synthesis and the screening of combinatorial arrays became an integral part in lead generation and optimization in drug discovery [2][3][4][5]. Furthermore, combinatorial methodologies also demonstrated their potential in other areas, such as the development and discovery of catalysts, and material science [6,7].Modern combinatorial libraries are characterized by the generation of numerous different, but structurally related compounds that exist discretely as static entities, under similar conditions, in a systematic manner. Currently, there are several distinct methodologies for the generation of combinatorial libraries [8,9]. These combinatorial arrays can be produced in a parallel fashion, either as a library of individual compounds or as pooled mixtures. In applying a parallel format, the compounds are handled individually in separated compartments. This removes difficulties associated with compound mixtures; and it allows for every individual compound a straightforward evaluation of chemical integrity and structure-activity relationship after biological testing. The library size handled with this methodology is more limited than in a pooling strategy. Pooled mixture formation is straightforward and less time-consuming than the synthesis of individual compounds. More difficult is the analysis and screening of mixtures of components. By the split and mix technology, very large libraries can be formed progressively over multiple synthetic steps. Also, several technological advances in solid phase automated synthesis, analysis, robotics and miniaturization allow the rapid parallel synthesis and characterization of very large arrays of individual compounds. The substances generated are then subsequently evaluated for biological activity by high-throughput screening, applying fully automated systems towards a chosen target protein.
341Fragment-based Approaches in Drug Discovery. Edited