Abstract Numerous areas of chemistry can benefit from the ongoing genomic revolution. Here, we discuss and highlight trends in chemistry in the postgenomic era. The areas of interest include combinatorial approaches in organic chemistry; design and analysis of proteins containing unnatural amino acids; trace element-containing proteins; design and characterization of new enzyme types; applications of postgenomic chemistry in drug design; identification of lipid networks and global characterization of lipid molecular species; development of recombinant and self-proliferating polymers; and applications in food chemistry and bioanalytical chemistry based on new nanoanalytical systems and novel recognition elements.