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CH40098: Techniques in drug discovery

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 3
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CH20160 and in taking this unit you cannot take CH30098
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
To introduce students to some of the specialised technologies and techniques that are used to facilitate the drug discovery process using different case studies to illustrate how drugs are discovered, and understand how they function at a molecular level.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course the student should be able to understand:
* Understand how biological targets are identified and understand the many problems associated with the drug discovery process;
* Appreciate the techniques used to sequence, analyse and prepare different types of biomolecule;
* The techniques that scientists employ to generate large numbers of compounds in an automated manner;
* How the techniques of X-ray crystallography and computational modelling are used to determine the structure of complex biomolecules bound to ligands;
* The difficulties associated with preparing large quantities of bioactive molecules on an industrial scale;
* Be familiar with the different techniques used to formulate and administer drug molecules within different therapeutic areas;
* Critically appraise current literature in the area.

Skills:
Numeracy (F, A), Problem solving (T, F A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F), Group working (F)

Content:
Current problems and bottlenecks associated with the drug-discovery process. Understand the techniques used to purify and analyse biomolecules. Chemical and biochemical techniques used to purify and determine the structures of biomolecules. Techniques used to identify biological targets. Hit to lead optimisation. X-ray crystallography of biomolecules. Computational modelling of biomolecules. Database searching and bioinformatics. Docking drugs into enzyme active sites. Principles of high throughput screening. Combinatorial chemistry. Scavenging resins. Flow chemistry. Microwave chemistry. Principles of scale-up and green chemistry. Process chemistry. Microcalorimetry. Crystal structures and polymorphism. Drug formulation. Administering drugs by oral, intravenous and inhalation routes.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH40098 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AKM03 : MChem (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Training (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USCH-AAM06 : MChem (hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4

CH40098 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • TSCH-AFM04 : MSc Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Full-time) - Year 1

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.