This unit introduces students to the fundamental chemical principles that are required for the development of pharmaceutical skills and knowledge. This unit covers drug design; physicochemical properties of drugs and how these determine the interactions of small molecules (drugs) with biological macromolecules (enzymes and receptors). All stages in the process of drug design and development will be investigated, including the role of stereochemistry in drug action, structure-activity relationships and drug metabolism, bioactivation and inactivation. Advanced analytical methods for the identification of drugs, their metabolites and degradation products; sources of drugs; discovery of new small molecules as leads for drug development will also be covered. The workshops use a problem based learning approach consisting of case studies and structure-activity relationships.
PRESCRIBED TEXT - THE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY OF DRUG DESIGN AND DRUG ACTION
