Synthesis of Bioproducts

Code:

Q4082

Acronym:

Q4082

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle2526.up.pt/course/view.php?id=5993
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Applications in Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:ABBS	19	Study plan since academic year 2025/2026	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Portuguese and english
Obs.: As aulas teóricas serão lecionadas em inglês, caso haja estudantes não lusófonos.

Objectives

The course “Synthesis of Bioproducts” will focus on major chemical strategies towards the synthesis of biologically relevant molecules, mainly peptides, oligonucleotides, and peptide-nucleic acids (PNA), as well as chemoselective ("click") strategies for the production of bioconjugates. Different areas of application of the synthetic strategies addressed will be equally presented.

A hybrid teaching model will be applied, combining (i) lectures to introduce the fundamental concepts and reaction mechanisms relevant for each topic, and present selected case-studies (presential or e-learning) and (ii) experimental projects (in the laboratory) aimed at the chemical syntheis of a given target bioproduct, fostering the "learning by doing" paradigm.

Learning outcomes and competences

The unit course (UC) “Synthesis of Bioproducts” will focus on major chemical strategies towards the synthesis of biologically relevant molecules, mainly peptides, oligonucleotides, and peptide-nucleic acids (PNA), as well as chemoselective ("click") strategies for the production of bioconjugates. Different areas of application of the synthetic strategies addressed will be equally presented.

 

At the end of the UC the student should be able to:

- define the main basic concepts in the synthesis of organic compounds

- list the advantages of chemical approaches to the synthesis of bioproducts

- describe and compare the main strategies for peptide synthesis

- explain the methodologies of solid-phase synthesis of peptides, oligonucleotides, and peptide nucleic acids

- list common techniques for the analysis of peptides and other bioproducts

- define “click chemistry” and list different types, their advantages, and applications

- describe and compare methods of parallel synthesis and combinatorial synthesis

- propose suitable synthetic routes for obtaining a given peptide-based bioproduct

- interpret analysis results of peptides and peptide libraries

- experimentally carry out a synthesis project of a given bioproduct

- prepare a report with the description and critical analysis of the experimental project carried out

Working method

B-learning

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Background formation in Organic/Bioorganic/Biological Chemistry at a basic level (Bachelor degree) is strongly advised.

Program

1. Organic synthesis – basic concepts and societal relevance


2. Advantages of chemical methods to produce biomolecules


3. Chemical synthesis of small biomolecules (oligopeptides, oligonucleotides and peptide-nucleic acids)


4. Chemoselective conjugation reactions ("click" chemistry)


5. Brief overview of combinatorial synthesis


6. Advanced topics in the synthesis of biomolecules (case studies)

Mandatory literature

Paul Lloyd-Williams, Fernando Albericio, Ernest Giralt; Chemical Approaches to the Synthesis of Peptides and Proteins, CRC Press, 1997. ISBN: 0-8493-9142-3 (One of the lecturers as a personal copy to lend)

Complementary Bibliography

David L. Van Vranken; Introduction to bioorganic chemistry and chemical biology. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4214-4 (To be requested directly from the lecturers)
N. Leo Benoiton; Chemistry of Peptide Synthesis, Taylor and Francis, 2006. ISBN: 978-1-57444-454-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

- Lectures:

(a) Presentation of the course syllabus using multimedia tools, while encouraging active participation of students;

(b) Invited lectures and round-tables ("paper clubs"), to present specific case studies involving several of the methodologies covered by the syllabus.

- Lab classes:

Scientific-technological resources of DQB-FCUP will be used to carry out different experimental projects involving chemical synthesis, purification and analysis of bioproducts.

The Moodle UP platform will be used for course management.

keywords

Physical sciences > Chemistry > Organic chemistry
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Applied chemistry > Pharmaceutical chemistry

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Teste	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	40,00
Estudo autónomo	70,00
Frequência das aulas	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	38,00
Total:	168,00

Eligibility for exams

Students must attend at least 75% of the hours assigned for live training (laboratory activities and invited lectures), and present the following:

- individual written test, to be timely scheduled during the 1st semester;

- performance and written reports on the experimental projects carried out in the laboratory component of this course (team work).

Calculation formula of final grade

FG = 0.6 x WT + 0.2 x EW + 0.2 x WR, where

FG, final grade
WT, grade of the Written Test (individual)
EW, evaluation of the Experimental Work (team)
WR, evaluation of the Written Report (team)

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Rules according to the institution's statutes will be applied.

Classification improvement

Not applicable.

Observations

Students who do not attend at least 75% of the lab classes and of the invited lectures that may take place in this academic year will not be approved to this course.

To each relevant element for evaluation that is not delivered or not attended, a zero mark will be attributed.

Approval will be given only to those students whose final grade (FG), as defined by the algorithm given above, is equal or superior to 9.5.

This is a course with a distributed evaluation without final exam. As such, resit or improvement examinations are not applicable.




José Enrique Rodríguez Borges