CADD

CADD is an acronym used in multiple disciplines, referring to different concepts depending on the context. Notable uses include Computer-Aided Design and Drafting, Computer-Aided Drug Design, and Combined Annotation-Dependent Depletion in genomics.

Computer-Aided Design and Drafting describes the use of computer-based tools to create, modify, analyze, and optimize products and structures. It evolved from manual drafting to sophisticated software that supports 2D and 3D modeling, documentation, and integration with manufacturing and engineering workflows. CAD and related drafting activities are foundational in fields such as mechanical engineering, architecture, aerospace, and civil infrastructure.

Computer-Aided Drug Design covers computational approaches to discover and optimize therapeutic compounds. Methods include molecular docking to predict how a molecule binds a target, pharmacophore modeling to identify essential features, quantitative structure-activity relationship analyses, and molecular dynamics simulations to explore conformational behavior. CADD aims to improve the efficiency of lead identification and optimization by prioritizing compounds with favorable binding, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles.

Combined Annotation-Dependent Depletion is a genomic scoring system used to assess the potential deleteriousness of genetic variants. It combines multiple annotations into a machine learning framework and yields a PHRED-like CADD score, facilitating prioritization of variants for research and clinical interpretation. Limitations include varying performance across genomic contexts and incomplete annotation data.

Other uses exist in different fields, and meanings are typically inferred from the disciplinary context.