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PA40255: Advanced topics in drug design

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 60%, OR 40%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take PA30244
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To provide students with a critical knowledge and understanding of current techniques and developments in the design of new drug molecules.

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this unit, students will be able to understand, evaluate and deal with the complexities of modern day drug design and make informed judgements on the suitability of novel compounds as potential therapeutic entities. They will be able to evaluate critically current research literature in this area and communicate their findings clearly.

Skills:
Scientific skills (T/F/A)
Study skills, handling information, working with others (T/F/A)
Problem solving (T/F).

Content:
Following a brief review of relevant material from PA30244 (core), the course will cover various aspects of the modern drug design process. Topics will include how targets (both the target disease and the biological targets) are chosen, what makes good lead compounds (affinity/efficacy, 'drug-likeness' and appropriate metabolic stability) and the techniques used to allow rational development of these leads into potential drug candidates. The role of ADME-Tox data in directing the development of preclinical candidates will be described. Also covered will be various techniques, such as the use of isosteres and peptidomimetics, pro-drug and soft-drug design, to circumvent some of the problems that can arise in the development process. Examples from the current literature will be discussed during the course.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PA40255 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* 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.