The concept of molecular structure in structure-activity relationship studies and drug design.

We can justify the use of any model, method, or algorithm if we clearly state our goals, understand the basis of our procedures, and fully appreciate the true nature and limitations of the results. As we have illustrated here, the creation of new wisdom may appear to be a consequence of our labors. There are cases, however, where this creation may be only an illusion. In any analysis of structure-activity, property-activity, or structure-property relationships, the degree of understanding of the nature of the starting data therefore determines the level of confidence ascribable to any result and prediction. This is, in essence, the message of our inquisitive meditations on the deep nature of structure-activity relationships.