Methods for rapidly identifying small organic molecule ligands for binding to biological target molecules

A method for identifying an organic molecule ligand that binds to a biological target molecule of interest, said method comprising:

• (a) obtaining a biological target molecule that comprises or has been modified to comprise a first reactive functionality,
• (b) reacting said target molecule with a compound that comprises (1) a second reactive functionality and (2) a chemically reactive group, wherein said second reactive functionality reacts with said first reactive functionality of said target molecule to form a covalent bond, thereby resulting in said chemically reactive group being linked to said target molecule through a covalent bond;
• (c) combining said target molecule with one or more members of a library of organic compounds that are capable of covalently bonding to said chemically reactive group, wherein at least one member of said library forms a covalent bond with said chemically reactive group to form a target molecule/organic compound conjugate;
• and
• (d) identifying the organic compound that forms a covalent bond with said chemically reactive group.