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By any measure, the 1990s is the decade of the genome. Sequences of the chromosomes of two eubacteria (Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma genitalium), 1, 2 one archaebacterium (Methanococcus jannaschii), 3 and one eukaryote (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bakers’ yeast) 4 have appeared, and several other completed microbial genomes will be announced while this review is in press. Before the decade is out, the genome of the worm Caenorhabiditis elegans will be added to this collection, 5 as will perhaps several dozen further genomes of microorganisms. The genomes for a plant and man will be complete soon thereafter. These will supplement sequences from dozens of other organisms whose genomes are not being comprehensively sequenced, but are being studied in laboratories around the world.

Organic chemistry has always been driven by the discovery of new natural products, elucidation …