Drug Development

Overview

NMED CHEM FUNDAMENTALS
COMPUTATIONAL DRUG DISCOVERY (6 Lectures/3 workshops)
• Introduction to molecular modelling
• Search of reaction coordinates
• Conformational analysis approaches
• Protein structure prediction
• Protein-ligand docking methods
• Virtual screening of drug hits
IMPORTANT DRUG TARGETS (6 Lectures)
• Will include discussion relating to targeting kinases, GPCRs, proteases, ion channels and transmembrane proteins.
DRUG CASE STUDIES:
 PEPTIDE AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS (6 Lectures):
 In this lecture series we will cover recent literature syntheses of important macrocylic peptides, including daptomycin, laspartomycin C and teixobactin. Students will develop an understanding of the important protecting group and coupling strategies employed for their syntheses, the various different cyclization strategies that can be employed in macrocyclic peptide synthesis and key considerations towards cell-permeability and cytotoxicity.
 ACTION AND SYNTHESIS OF ANTIVIRAL AGENTS (4 Lectures):
 Understand general viral replication cycles for different classes of virus.
 Know basic intervention strategies in the treatment of viral infections.
 Know examples of the synthesis of antiviral agents.

Learning Objectives

 Upon completion of this module, the students will have gained a general understanding of the process underlying drug discovery ranging from biological (target identification) to chemical (chemical structure optimisation) issues.
 The students will also have been exposed to examples of and the application of synthetic organic chemistry used for total synthesis of biologically-relevant target molecules and the sites and mechanisms of drug action.

Skills

 Subject specific skills in the context of medicinal chemistry in addition to problem-solving skills related to drug design and drug discovery.

Assessment

Assessment:
Examination 80 %
Take-home test 10 %
Library project 10 %

Both Coursework and Examination must be passed at 40 %