26471 - Drug Design and Synthesis

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student should have a good understanding of the different stages of the drug design and development: from the  lead identification to the final drug, comprising the optimization cycles. Furthermore, through lectures and practical laboratory experiences, the student will know the basic concepts related to the synthetic strategies used in research and industrial laboratories  for the discovery and development of new drugs.

Course contents

A Brief History of Drug Discovery, The Modern Drug Process, Enzymes as Drug Targets, Receptors as Drug Target, Oligonucleotides as Drug Targets, Molecular Structure and Diversity, Lead Discovery, Lead Optimization, Aspects in Pharmaceutical Synthesis.

Research metodologies by internet data banks, the use of the most common free chemistry softwares.

The course includes laboratory activity that will allow every single student to carry out some synthesis of known drugs.

Readings/Bibliography

STEVENS E. I processi di scoperta dei framaci, PICCIN, 2014

Notes and other material will be distributed during the lessons

Teaching methods

During the lessons will be treated all the topics reported in the course program.

Assessment methods

The final class grade is based on an oral examination with the aim to verify the level of the acquisition of the different topics as reported in the course program.  

Registration on-line on AlmaEsami is mandatory.

Teaching tools

All the teaching program wiil be explained by PC power point presentation and, when necessary, by using the 3D molecular models.

Office hours

See the website of Vincenzo Tumiatti