6 Chemical genetics

Abstract

This review covers some of the highlights in the field of chemical genetics published during 2004. A key enabling methodology in the field is the availability of diverse libraries of small molecules provided by combinatorial chemistry, and notable advances in this area are included. As the chemical genetic approach becomes more widely established the number of new biological pathways targeted by novel small molecules increases, and significant discoveries made during the year are summarised. Of particular note during 2004 was the publication of a series of review and commentary articles on the theme of “chemical space”—a concept central to chemical genetics.