Peptides are among the most versatile bioactive molecules, yet the do not make good drugs. To overcome this problem, pseudo-peptides have been developed. This work is devoted to the topic and draws together knowledge gained on different types of peptidomimetics and other pseudo-peptides with drug properties.

Versatile oligo-glycines: The many roles of peptoids in drug discovery Beta-peptides, gamma-peptides and isosteric backbones: New scaffolds with controlled shapes Regulation of gene expression with pyrrole-imidazole polyamides Peptide nucleic acid: A pseudo-peptide with DNA-like properties Alpha-helical peptide nucleic acids DNA-cleaving pseudo-peptides

Peptides are among the most versatile bioactive molecules, yet the do not make good drugs, because they are quickly degraded or modified in the body. Thus, drug discovery has turned to the novel field of peptidomimetics, i. e. to design non-peptide compounds mimicking the pharmacophore and thus the activity of the original peptide. These novel compounds open up new perspectives in drug design by providing an entire range of highly specific pharmaceuticals that have a high bioavailability. In particular, the following classes of pseudo-peptides are introduced and examined with regard to their chemical properties, pharmacological activity, as well as practical aspects of synthesis: * Oligo-glycines * Beta-peptides * Gamma-peptides * Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides * DNA-like peptide nucleic acids * Alpha-helical peptide nucleic acids * DNA-cleaving pseudo-peptides The first work drawing together knowledge gained on different types of pseudo-peptides with drug properties, this book is an essential resource for drug developers and bioorganic chemists working with those compounds.

"... thoughtfully compiled and well-presented. Researchers working in these specific areas will want to own a copy of this book." (Journal of the American Chemical Society, February 23, 2005) "... the editor of this book has brought together a number of excellent reviews for obtaining up-to-date information in the areas of research covered, and I highly recommend it." (Victor J. Hruby, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 48, No. 8) "In view of the thoroughly up-to-date coverage of the topics in this book, it can be highly recommended for drug developers and bioorganic chemists working with pseudopeptides, and for all researchers who are interested in the field of nucleic acid chemistry." (Angewandte Chemie, Volume 43, Oct. 2004)