Question: Do pathogens have specific molecules on them that cause a particular side effect/characteristic? And can that help you predict what medication will be effective against it?

Michael Kyriakides answered on 13 Nov 2015:

@525sped49 – Interesting question! I am not an expert in this field but many medications target specific molecules on the surface of the pathogens or diseases. This is also how the immune system in our bodies recognises a lot of the pathogens. In the case of viruses, HIV relies on specific molecules on its surface to bind to white blood cells and enter their cytoplasm. An example of a drug which targets molecules is Herceptin (a breast cancer drug) targets a specific receptor on tumour cells. In general all antibody based drugs work this way.