Target identification is the process of finding specific molecules or genes that play a crucial role in a disease. In drug development, researchers look for these targets to understand how they contribute to the disease's progression. By identifying these targets, scientists can design treatments that effectively interact with them, potentially leading to better therapies. Once a target is identified, researchers can study its structure and function. This information helps in creating drugs that can either enhance or inhibit the target's activity. For example, in cancer research, identifying a tumor-specific protein can lead to the development of targeted therapies that attack only cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells.