EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS IN COMPUTER-AIDED MOLECULAR DESIGN

In recent years, search and optimisation algorithms inspired by evolut ionary processes have been applied with marked success to a wide varie ty of problems in diverse fields of study. In this review, we survey t he growing application of these 'evolutionary algorithms' in one such area: computer-aided molecular design. In the course of the review, we seek to summarise the work to date and to indicate where evolutionary algorithms have met with success and where they have not fared so wel l. In addition to this, we also attempt to discern some future trends in both the basic research concerning these algorithms and their appli cation to the elucidation, design and modelling of chemical and bioche mical structures.