Medicinal Chemistry

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
CHIM/08
Language
English
Learning objectives
An introduction to Medicinal Chemistry. The course aims to provide students with the general principles and the basic approaches of Medicinal Chemistry. In particular, the principal phases of drug action, the molecular mechanisms of drugs and the drug discovery and development process will be discussed.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will know the basic notions in medicinal chemistry, the most relevant issues of the drug action, the main techniques employed for the discovery and the development of an efficient drug, and the problems to deal with in this process. He will understanding medicinal chemistry activities in multidisciplinary frameworks and the progresses of a rapidly evolving discipline.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Principal phases of drug action (20 hours). Pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic phases. Pharmacokinetics: the processes of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of drugs. Pharmacodynamics: the molecular targets of drugs and the receptor concept. Structure and function of the receptors. Nature of drug-receptor interactions. Quantitative analysis of drug-receptor interactions and drug-induced biological responses (cell-free binding assays and cell-based functional assays). Definition of affinity, potency, efficacy, selectivity, therapeutic index. Definition of agonist, partial agonist, inverse agonist, antagonist. Receptor theories: models for drug-mediated receptor activation. Processes of signal transduction. Enzymes as drug targets.
Principal phases of drug discovery and development process (16 hours). Approaches for HIT and LEAD identification. Ligand efficiency metrics. LEAD modification and optimization: isostery and bioisostery, molecular simplification and complication, rigid analogs and prodrugs. Molecular modification of peptides. Recent advances in the design of peptidomimetics. Introduction to computer-aided drug design methods (CADD). Computer lab lesson on the use of structural and medchem databases.
Analysis of selected pharmacological classes to illustrate the points discussed in the general section (12 hours).
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the organic chemistry at the level of a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or related fields.
Teaching methods
Traditional lessons will be integrated with additional teaching activities including computer lessons on the use of medchem databases and seminars on specific topics of the course.
Teaching Resources
- G. L. Patrick, An introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, Fifth or Sixth edition, Oxford University Press
- T. L. Lemke, D. A. Williams, V. F. Roche, S. W. Zito, Foye's Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, Seventh or Eighth edition (ebook available at Unimi digital library), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Wolters Kluwer
- contents available on the MyAriel site (lecture slides, articles, exam texts)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test lasting 2 hours (or two partial tests, each lasting 1,5 hours) which aims to verify the preparation of the student on the course contents. The written examination typically includes 5-6 open questions: 1-2 questions concern the phases of drug action, 1-2 questions regard the drug discovery and development process, 1-2 questions refer to drug classes discussed during the course. The evaluation of the student is based on: the knowledge of the main issues concerning the phases of drug action and of drug discovery and development process, the ability to discuss in a critical and integrated way these general aspects in the specific examples given in the exam. Acceptance or rejection of the pass mark (grading scale from 18 to 30 cum laude) by the student must be confirmed within 10 days of receiving the e-mail notice.
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor: Belvisi Laura
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Belvisi Laura
Professor(s)