MedChem Program: From Organic Chemistry to Pharmaceutical Drugs

Code:

DQOF2201

Acronym:

DQOF-BIP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Pharmaceutical Sciences

Instance: 2022/2023 - SP (of 17-07-2023 to 21-07-2023)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MedChem Program: From Organic Chemistry to Pharmaceutical Drugs

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DQOF-BIP	21	Official Curriculum	1	-	3	28	81

Teaching language

English

Objectives

1. It is intended that participants understand the behavior (reactivity) of organic substances and use this knowledge for Medicinal Pharmaceutical Chemistry, namely drug synthesis, pharmaceutical analysis and drug discovery and design. This knowledge will be taught in an understandable and gradual way, in order to be able to be followed by the participants in a deductive and integrated way.

2. Thus, the reactivity and physical-chemical properties of organic substances and their influence on biological activity will be studied. The principles of retrosynthetic analysis and organic synthesis will be applied to the industrial synthesis of drugs. Pharmaceutical analysis will be presented to guarantee the quality of drugs and the main methods of analysis used will be addressed. The mechanism of action of drugs at the molecular level and the sources, methodologies and strategies used for drug discovery and design will be explained. During the course, case studies and the problem-based learning process will also be used as a basis for learning. Examples of how several relevant drugs in the current therapeutic arsenal came to market will be discussed. In laboratory classes, participants will carry out work that demonstrates and consolidates the knowledge acquired in theoretical classes. Participants will use synthesis, isolation, purification, purity control and analysis techniques for bioactive substances, including drugs. Discussion of current issues in the area will be encouraged with a poster session, leading participants to experience research methodologies developed in the area of Medicinal Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Participants who wish to present a poster communication for discussion may submit an abstract when applying.

3. The e-learning component will deal with advanced and multidisciplinary aspects of drug discovery, showing research case studies from participating foreign institutions.

4. During the course, it is intended that participants develop different capacities, namely deductive reasoning, accuracy, interpretation of experimental and observational data.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended that participants acquire general knowledge in:
- General reactivity of organic compounds.
- Synthesis of drugs.
- Pharmacopeial Analysis.
- Medicinal Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the discovery, planning and development of drugs.
- Molecular recognition in the mechanism of action of drugs.
- Factors that affect drug activity.
- Discovery and development of new drugs.

Through the presentation/discussion of case studies in the area of drug discovery/obtaining (natural products, synthesis and other sources) participants will be able to develop a critical and discussion spirit.
With the discussion of current issues in the area with five e-learning sessions and a poster session presented at Congresses by the participating Professors group, participants in the Course will be able to interact with the various Professors and Master and Doctoral Students who carry out research at the LQOF of FFUP/CIIMAR in the area of the Course in question and with the professors of the participating institutions who will teach the distance course.

It is intended that participants develop scientific skills and attitudes during the course, namely deductive reasoning, rigor, interpretation of experimental and observational data.

Working method

B-learning

Program

GENERAL PROGRAM

THEORETICAL COMPONENT
- Organic compounds and reactivity.
- Medicinal Pharmaceutical Chemistry in drug discovery, planning and development.
- Molecular recognition in the mechanism of action of drugs.
- Factors that affect drug activity.
- Discovery and development of new drugs; case studies:
a) Natural products.
b) Synthesis.
c) Other sources.
- Analysis of pharmaceutical substances and products.

PRACTICAL COMPONENT
Execution, analysis and interpretation of the fundamentals of the following work:
- Synthesis, isolation, purification and analysis of a drug.
- Presentation and discussion of research work developed at LQOF (panel presentation session). Participants who wish to present a panel paper for discussion may submit a summary of the paper when applying, which will be appreciated by the faculty of the course.
FIELD TRIP

E-LEARNING COMPONENT
Advanced and multidisciplinary aspects of drug discovery, showing research case studies in:
- Marine Natural Products.
- Multi-target ligands.
- Anticancer drug design.
- Antimicrobial drugs.

Mandatory literature

Donald J. Abraham, Michael Myers; Burger's medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and development (7ª ed), Nova Jérsia: John Wiley and Sons, Inc Publication, 2010
Graham L. Patrick; An introduction to medicinal chemistry. ISBN: 0 19 850533 7
Erland Stevens; Medicinal Chemistry: The Modern Drug Discovery Process, Pearson, 2014

Comments from the literature

Thematic reviews taken from scientific journals of the specialty appropriate to each theme, selected by the respective professors and to be made available at the beginning of each module. During the course, various support material for classes will be provided in advance.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository theoretical classes, using powerpoint presentations and/or other presentation programs, videos, case studies, which seek to promote critical thinking and the interrelationship of knowledge.
Execution of practical work involving participants in the execution of methodologies used in the isolation, synthesis, purification, purity control and analysis of drugs.
Participants will also be involved in the presentation and group discussion of problems from a “problem-based learning” perspective, as well as, in the discussion of posters presented at Congresses.
Participants will be provided with close interaction with the various professors, with the intention of having a lively and fruitful discussion on the subjects dealt with in this course.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	75,00
Trabalho escrito	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	27,00
Frequência das aulas	24,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of at least 75% of the blended course is mandatory.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment will consist of carrying out the laboratory work report (25%) and a written exam covering all the subjects dealt with in the presential theoretical component (75%).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Within the scope of this course/training it is not possible to request special status.

Classification improvement

There is no place for classification improvement.