Perhaps the greatest immediate challenge of the "post genomic" world is the interpretation of the massive amount of one-dimensional gene sequence data being produced in terms of the 3-D structures and functions and interactions of the proteins encoded by the genes.

Consequently, pilot programs are now underway to develop technology and high-throughput methods for protein structure analysis on a very large scale -- this emerging field of endeavor has been termed structural genomics. Of particular relevance to the pharmaceutical industry is the question, "When will the data and technologies being generated by structural genomics approaches significantly impact drug discovery activities?"

Gathered together for this one day symposium are experts in bioinformatics, NMR Spectroscopy, Xray Crystallography, functional genomics, and pharmaceutical research who will report on recent progress in the field of structural genomics and attempt to address this question. The aim is to provide participants with a state-of-the-art understanding of how this "Second Genome Project" will affect genomics-driven discovery research in the pharmaceutical industry.