Combinatorial chemistry
A robotic system methodically synthesising large numbers of compounds, each having a composition slightly different from the previous one.

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid consists of a polysugar-phosphate backbone from which the purines and pyrimidines project. The backbone is formed by bonds between the phosphate molecule and carbon 3 and 5 of the adjacent deoxyribose molecules. The nitrogenous base extends from carbon 1 of each sugar. It forms a double helix hold together by hydrogen bonds between specific pairs of bases (Watson-Crick model) and each strand in the double helix is complementary to its partner with regard to its base sequence. See also: DNA array, DNA chip, DNA microarray

DNAarray
DNA arrays consist of large numbers of DNA molecules spotted in a systematic order on a solid substrate. Depending on the spotting technique used, the number of spots can range from hundreds to thousands. See also: DNA, DNA chip, DNA microarray

DNAchip
These chips are also referred to as DNA arrays, or microarrays. Approx. 10,000 cDNAs can be spotted onto a microscope slide and subsequently be hybridised with a double-labelled probe. See also: DNA, DNA array, DNA microarray

DNAmicroarray

This kind of microarray consists of a set of regular arranged spots of DNA recognition elements (e.g. oligos) positioned on a rigid support. The diameters of the spots range between 20 and 200 micrometers. Usually 50 to 80,000 spots cover an area of approximately 1 square centimetre. The technology is based on the selective recognition of gene sequences by hybridisation, namely base-pairing of the 4 nucleotides. Upon hybridisation with e.g. a fluorescently-labelled sample (oligo, cDNA, mRNA, PCR product) the signals can be analysed. See also: DNA, DNA array, DNA chip
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Druglead
Compound that has shown evidence of pharmacological activity on a drug target serving as a leading structure.

Drugtarget
A gene or protein that plays a role in a disease process and is the intended site of drug activity

EST
Expressed sequence tags: Short (300-500 bp) single-pass sequences from mRNA (cDNA). They represent a snapshot of genes that are expressed at a given developmental stage and/or in a given tissue.

Gene
Hereditary unit that occupies a specific locus within the genome or chromosome and which can have one or more specific effects on the phenotype of the organism. A gene can be present in various allelic forms.

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