Recent advances in chemical approaches to the study of biological systems

A number of novel chemical methods for studying biological systems have rec ently been developed that provide a means of addressing biological question s not easily studied with other techniques. In this review, examples that h ighlight the development and use of such chemical approaches are discussed. Specifically, strategies for modulating protein activity or protein-protei n interactions using small molecules are presented. In addition, methods fo r generating and utilizing novel biomolecules (proteins, oligonucleotides, oligosaccharides, and second messengers) are examined.