Phenotypic drug discovery

Phenotypic drug discovery is an approach where researchers look at the effects of potential medicines on living cells, tissues, or organisms without initially knowing the specific target they affect. By observing how a compound changes the behavior or appearance of these biological systems, scientists can identify promising drug candidates based on their overall impact. This method mimics natural processes more closely, increasing the chance of finding effective treatments, especially for complex diseases. It contrasts with target-based approaches by focusing on real biological responses rather than specific molecular targets.