Mimetic peptides, demanding enzymes and drug discovery

Abstract

Thirty-six years ago, R. Bruce Merrifield published the synthesis of a tetrapeptide on a solid support [1]. Over the years that seminal paper revolutionized modern organic chemistry, leading not only to solid-phase synthesis of peptides and proteins, but also to the synthesis of DNA and RNA fragments, gene probes, and the combinatorial chemical synthesis of small organic molecules. I am deeply honored to receive the Merrifield Award, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my students, my colleagues, and the Merrifield Award Selection Committee for their efforts on my behalf.