ABSTRACT
The advent of combinatorial chemistry has led to a revolution in the drug discovery process, with impact on many related disciplines. Areas such as analytical chemistry, process development chemistry, and biological assay are reflecting the effects of combinatorial chemistry. However, at the same time, practitioners in those areas often have a vague idea about what combinatorial chemistry really is. Vendors of instruments and consumable supplies recognize the tremendous market potential of this new technology but are unclear about how best to capitalize on that potential. Part of the reason is that the definition of combinatorial chemistry differs from organization to organization and even within organizations depending on the specific drug discovery target. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief introduction to the assortment of new technologies collectively referred to as ‘‘combinatorial chemistry.’’ It will become clear that no single definition can clearly and concisely describe this new field.
