What are the main steps of structure-based drug design that involve crystallography?
BioCryst’s scientists use x-ray crystallography throughout the process of designing and optimizing potential drugs. First, they use crystallography to determine the structure of their target proteins. This structure is used to design potential compounds that will fit the active site of the target. Scientists then use crystallography to study how compounds bind with the active site of the target protein. Using information gained through crystallography, researchers refine the compounds to improve their performance. The redesigned lead compound is then synthesized and further refined and analyzed in an iterative process.
