Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

The theoretical classes on the syllabus alternate with classes where professionals from various areas related to Medicinal Chemiistry are invited to expose thier professional experience to the students. At the end of such classes with the guests, the sudents have to write a test on the subject taught in the previous theoretical class
Each student must chose a medicine and make an oral presetation on it, focuing on its properties and mechanism of action. In the last class the students have a written exam that consists on making a summary and/or a critique of an article written in English.

Learning Outcomes

The main objective of this course is to offer from the beginning of the education in Medicinal Chemistry a general overview of the problems, language and methods of this field, by providing a framework and an introduction to the specialized disciplines that will be studies in depth in the following years.
Specific objectives:
1. Understand the field of Medicinal Chemistry, its methods and the profession of the medicinal chemist
2. Acquire a basic knowledge of the language of Medicinal Chemistry
3. Learn about the pathway of drug discovery and development of innovative medicines
4. Identify and use sources of information on Medicinal Chemistry
5. Develop skills for oral communication of the mechanisms and properties of a given drug
6. Introduce the critical analysis of texts in English on Medicinal Chemistry.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1INTRODUCTION TO MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
The place of Medicinal Chemistry in the emsemble of the other disciplines. Drug discovery and development process. intelectual property. Organization of the pharmaceutic industry, Contract ReaserachOrganizations (CRO), and start-ups
2ELEMENTS OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Chemical bonds. Structure and shape of molecules: functional groups, stereochemistry Radiochemistry: common radiactive isotopes, applications in chemistry and health sciences
3ELEMENTS OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
Structural and funcional organization of organisms. Biological barriers
Structurl biomolecules: sugars, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids
Enzimes
4DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINES
The active ingredient, therapeutic targets, biodisponibility, pro-drugs, pharmacokinetics
Pre-clinical and clinical trials. Production and quality control
5PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Guests that are professionais of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Medicine present their own perspectives about medicinal chemistry.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rui Manuel Pontes Meireles Ferreira de Brito

Assessment Methods

Evaluation
Resolution Problems: 20.0%
Project: 20.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

G.Thomas, Medicinal Chemistry: An Introduction, Wiley, Chichester,  2nd ed,  2007.

G.L. Patrick, An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd ed, Oford University Press: New York, 2005.

W.O. Foye, D.A. Williams, T.L. Lemke, Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, Williams & Wilkins 5th ed, Porland, 2002.