Module Code
CHM1209
1. Introduction to Structural Biology (6 lectures):
An introduction to structural biology including the structures of amino acids, simple sugars and
their properties, which form peptides, proteins, and carbohydrates. The structure and function of
proteins, protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. Composition and organization of cells
and lipid bilayers, including the role of glycosylation in protein function, cell signalling, and
membrane structure.
2. Fundamentals of Enzymology (6 lectures):
Introduction to enzymes, enzyme structure and mechanisms, enzyme kinetics and inhibitions, the
Michaelis-Menten equation, enzymes as drug targets, enzyme assay development and use in
compound library screens.
3. DNA and RNA in Drug Discovery (6 lectures):
Introduction to DNA and RNA in drug discovery, DNA and RNA as a drug targets, Nucleic acids as
therapeutic tools, future directions of DNA/RNA in drug discovery.
4. Biophysical Techniques for Medicinal Chemistry (6 lectures):
Introduction to biophysical techniques in medicinal chemistry, inhibitor characterisation methods
to determine binding affinities (ITC, SPR, QCM), whole cell assays, spectroscopic techniques for
biomolecular analysis, integrating Biophysical Techniques in Medicinal Chemistry.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
Recognize the building blocks of proteins and carbohydrates and understand how they come
together to form biologically relevant three-dimensional structures
Recognize the importance of protein-interactions and how these govern biological function.
Apply the Michaelis-Menten equation in enzymology
Deduce the mechanism of inhibition from enzyme Vmax plots
Recognize the importance of DNA and RNA in drug discovery and how these are being used
as therapeutic tools
Provide appropriate biophysical techniques to characterize a drug-receptor interaction and be
able to interrupt results from these techniques
Students are expected to demonstrate the following on completion of the module:
You will learn how to take good notes from lectures.
You will begin to understand the principles of medicinal chemistry, gaining an appreciation of
key drug targets, how their inhibition works, and how we can characterize inhibitors.
Assessment Profile
Element type Element weight (%)
1. Class test 1 50%
2. Class test 2 50%
Course Requirements:
Both Class Tests must be passed at 40%.
Coursework
100%
Examination
0%
Practical
0%
10
CHM1209
Autumn Semester
12 Weeks
None