Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY OF ANTI-INFECTIVES
Code CHEM335
Coordinator Prof PM O'Neill
Chemistry
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2008-09 Level Three First Semester 7.5

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental principles that underpin modern medicinal chemistry of anti-infective drugs and will include qualitative and advanced quantitative SAR techniques, computer aided molecular design, further techniques in solid phase chemistry / combinatorial chemistry.  The course will build on the principles taught in the introductory medicinal chemistry course Chem 248. 


Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module students will have achieved a solid foundation of modern approaches to anti-infective drug design.

In particular they should be able to show a clear understanding of:

  • The mechanism of action, design and synthesis of b-lactam antibiotics, cephalosporins and carbapenems.
  • Antiviral drug design
  • The importance of protease enzymes as drug targets as illustrated by examples including the falcipain 2 inhibitors (cysteine proteases) and HIV protease inhibitors (aspartate proteases).
  • Advanced techniques in computational drug design and combinatorial chemistry.

Syllabus
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Lecture 1

Introduction; Recap of the process of drug discovery including revision of QSAR, combinatorial chemistry and HTS.  Major therapeutic areas targeted in module will be discussed.

Chapter(s) in "Intro to Medicinal Chemistry" by Patrick , 3rd Edition

Lecture 2

b-lactam antibiotics.

 

Ch 16

Lecture 3

Cephalosporins and carbapenem; Design and Synthesis.

Ch 16

Lecture 4

Cysteine Protease Enzymes as Drug Targets; Design and Synthesis of Small Peptide Inhibitors

Original scientific papers

Lecture 5

Peptide and Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of Falcipains 2 and 3.  Computer based design of novel inhibitor templates.

Original scientific papers

Lecture 6

Antivirals 1

Ch 17

Lecture 7

Antivirals 2.

Ch 17

Lecture 8

HIV Protease Inhibitors 1; Mechanism of Action and Drug Design

Ch 17

Lecture 9

HIV Protease Inhibitors 2; SAR and Synthetic Approaches

Ch 17

Lecture 10

Anticancer Agents

Ch 18

Lecture 11

Advanced Techniques in Computational Drug Design 1

Ch 15

Lecture 12

 Advanced Techniques in Computational Drug Design 2

Ch 15

< p class="msonormal"> Lecture 13

 Further Combinatorial Chemistry

Ch 14

Lecture 14

 Literature Examples of Combinatorial Synthesis

Original publications

Tutorials

Two tutorial workshop sessions will be held halfway through the course and a further assessed tutorial will be held at the end of the module.  Students will also be directed to online MCQ questions.

 

 

 


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Course content will be delivered primarily via standard lectures and tutorial-workshops, accompanied by suitable lecture handouts (also available on the web or student managed network). Students will also be guided to sections of specific textbooks and if reading of specific reviews or source literature is required; copies of these will be made available in the library for use by the students.

At intervals during the module, revision lectures/ exercises will allow students to self-evaluate their understanding of the module.


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 14

   2

       16
Timetable (if known) not known
  		           
Private Study 59
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Examination  1.5h  1st  90  August resit opportunity for PGT students only where applicable. See notes    Year 3 (and Year 4) students resit at the next normal opportunity.  
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Continuous Assessment  4hrs  1st  10  None  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details.  One problem based tutorial (5 %) and one part tutorial, part computer modelling exercise also 5 %. This work is not marked annonymously  

Recommended Texts

An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, Graham L. Patrick, 3rd edition, OUP

 Additional Reading:

 Top Drugs, Top Synthetic Routes”, by J. Saunders (OUP no. 90).

“Medicinal Chemistry: An Introduction” by Gareth Thomas (ISBN: 0-471-48935-2)

 “Bacteria and Antibacterial Agents” by J. Mann and J. C. Crabbe, Spektrum Academic Publishers, 1996.

“Life Saving Drugs – The Elusive Magic Bullet” by John Mann, RSC paperbacks