CH3102 - Medicinal and Biological Chemistry

[Offered in odd-numbered years]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Pharmacy & Molecular Sciences

Offered in SP2, in odd numbered years only

BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY This area of the subject will involve a broad study of the organic and inorganic chemistry of biological processes - particularly those involved in metabolism and biosynthesis. The organic chemistry will focus on a review of the major classes of natural products from living systems (plants, animals, microorganisms) discussed in a way dictated by their likely biosynthetic origins and their biological activity. Experimental techniques that have been used to establish these biosynthetic pathways will also be addressed. The inorganic chemistry component will focus on the role that metal ions play in living systems. Topics of interest will include essential elements, metalloenzymes and proteins, specifically oxygen carrier proteins, storage proteins, hydrolase enzymes and redox-based proteins and enzymes. MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY General framework of the drug discovery and development process: Therapeutic targets; screening for lead compounds (natural products and synthetic compounds); optimisation of lead compounds {drug-target molecular interactions, access to target (ADME)}; preclinical and clinical trials; patenting and regulatory affairs. Research tools: Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR, 3D QSAR): combinatorial chemistry approaches; molecular modelling in drug development; advanced synthetic chemistry including transition metal-catalysed cross coupling reactions (eg Heck, Stille, Suzuki etc) and an introduction to enantioselective organic synthesis. Case studies of individual drugs/drug classes: Case studies which are of current clinical relevance or have been important in the development of particular drug classes; use of metal complexes in medicine as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Learning Outcomes

• to enable students to become familiar with the major classes of natural products from living systems and to understand their modes of biosynthesis;
• to illustrate the role that metal ions play in essential metabolic and related processes in living systems;
• to illustrate the highly interdisciplinary nature of the drug discovery and development process;
• to provide students with knowledge of the wide range of techniques/tools which can be applied to this process (and thus provide a suitable background for further study or research in this area), and to develop an understanding of how these tools have been applied to the development of specific drug classes of clinical importance.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically.

Prerequisites:	CH2101
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	CH2022 AND CH2032 AND CH3022 AND CH3032 AND CH5302

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2011
Coordinator:	Assoc. Professor Michael Oelgemoeller
Lecturers:	Dr Murray Davies, Dr Dana Roberts, Assoc. Professor Bruce Bowden, Dr Brian McCool.
Contact hours:	36 hours lectures 36 hours practicals
Assessment:	end of semester exam (60% - 80%); practical component (20% - 40%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.