Abstract
The serine proteases [1] form an important group of hydrolytic enzymes essential to a variety of biological activities ranging from food digestion to blood clotting. However their uncontrolled activity is also known to be implicated in a number of pathological conditions including emphysema, cystic fibrosis, cancer and myocardial infarction. Their selective control is therefore an important goal and could offer a basis for the rational design of therapeutic agents.