2023
Medicinal Chemistry
Name: Medicinal Chemistry
Code: QUI13522M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The overall objective of this course is to provide students with a set of basic knowledge in the context of Medicinal Chemistry. The students should know and understand the concepts and principles of medicinal chemistry, in particular on the mechanism of action of drugs, their classification, molecular mechanisms of action and structure-activity relationships, pharmacokinetic parameters used in the study and evaluation of drugs, as well as on the collection and development of new drugs. Students should also be able to apply this knowledge to the study of new molecules and development of new drugs and to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in Medicinal Chemistry.
Contents
- Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, its importance and historical perspective. Nomenclature and classification of drugs.
- Mode of action of drugs and therapeutic targets: molecular mechanisms of drug action in lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids. Receptors. Molecular recognition and cellular communication.
- General cycle of drugs in the body. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion of drugs; prodrugs.
- Qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationships (SARs).
- Main sources of obtaining drugs. Methods of searching, finding and isolating new drugs; development and production of new drugs.
- Development and production of new drugs.
- Study of some drugs: chemical structures, mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationship, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and applications.
- Mode of action of drugs and therapeutic targets: molecular mechanisms of drug action in lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids. Receptors. Molecular recognition and cellular communication.
- General cycle of drugs in the body. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion of drugs; prodrugs.
- Qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationships (SARs).
- Main sources of obtaining drugs. Methods of searching, finding and isolating new drugs; development and production of new drugs.
- Development and production of new drugs.
- Study of some drugs: chemical structures, mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationship, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and applications.
Teaching Methods
The process of teaching/learning is based on the individual work of students, supported by recommended literature and in research conducted individually. The theoretic lectures are lessons of exposition of the subjects, and also take place the resolution of some exercises, answer questions and discuss related topics. The laboratory classes work articulated and complementary with other lectures, using the planning and execution of laboratory work which implements practical examples.
The assessment will be based on measuring the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and measurement of skills developed in the different components of the course. The evaluation of the theoretical part (60%) take place by a written exam (with an option for two tests). The practical evaluation (10%) is done through the reports of practical work with the treatment and interpretation of the experimental results. This assessment is complemented by the presentation of a small monograph about a drug (30%).
The assessment will be based on measuring the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and measurement of skills developed in the different components of the course. The evaluation of the theoretical part (60%) take place by a written exam (with an option for two tests). The practical evaluation (10%) is done through the reports of practical work with the treatment and interpretation of the experimental results. This assessment is complemented by the presentation of a small monograph about a drug (30%).
Teaching Staff
- António Paulo da Silva Teixeira [responsible]
