Bioinformatics - the use of computers to retrieve, process, analyze and simulate biological information - promises to revolutionize the process of drug discovery and development. This book provides a broad, application-oriented overview of this technology. Contributions by internationally renowned specialists in the field afford a detailed insight into single bioinformatics components and algorithmic methods. In addition, the state-of-the-art in bioinformatics is evaluated equally from a global view by introducing real application scenarios such as genome projects that require the use of a whole set of bioinformatics tools. The profound knowledge on bioinformatics presented here not only enables readers to go beyond a mere push-button approach to using bioinformatics software and interpreting the data generated appropriately. It is also essential to assess the potential and limitations of today's bioinformatics software and future challenges. Directed to all those involved in the use or development of new bioinformatics tools - scientists and managers from the fields of molecular biotechnology, pharmaceutics, and medicinal chemistry - this book will lead one step further on the way to rational drug design