2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BMSC2224 Principles of Drug Discovery

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Dan Donnelly
Email: D.Donnelly@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Satisfactory completion of level 1 of a BMS programme, or equivalent

Module replaces

BMSC2103

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The entire process of drug discovery will be covered. Starting with the choice of pharmacological targets to treat diseases, lead compounds are found by screening large compound libraries. The subsequent optimisation of these initial hits via computational and synthetic chemistry then enables the detailed analysis of their molecular pharmacology. Whether a pharmacologically active compound becomes a drug then depends upon preclinical and clinical trials that assess the toxicity, pharmacokinetic profile, and efficacy of the compounds in vivo. Different drug responses in individuals, caused by genetically encoded variations, are increasingly important.

Objectives

To have knowledge of the process of drug discovery and to understand the particular concepts underlying its component stages.

Learning outcomes
To have knowledge and understanding of:
- the principles of molecular structure, conformation and interaction;
- the principles of recombinant DNA technology and its role in drug discovery;
- the measurement of drug-receptor interactions and the analysis and interpretation of the output;
- screening technologies;
- the principles of lead optimisation;
- the principles preclinical and clinical testing;
- pharmacokinetics;
- pharmacogenomics.

Skills outcomes
Data analysis, Use of Knowledge, Commercial Awareness.

Syllabus

15 Lectures covering the following topics:
- Drug Discovery & Development I, II, III, IV.
- Molecular Structure & Interactions I, II.
- From Gene to Assay I, II, III.
- Molecular Pharmacology I, II
- Drug Target Expression & Structures
- Structure-based Drug Discovery
- Introduction to Pharmacokinetics I, II.
- Pharmacogenomics I, II, III.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	10	1.00	10.00
Lecture	17	1.00	17.00
Independent online learning hours			25.00
Private study hours			48.00
Total Contact hours			27.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

25 hours using the on-line resources provided via the VLE in order to gain problem solving skills. 2 hours private study based upon each lecture - lecture notes should be expanded and embellished with additional detail. 8 hours work on the in-course assessment and an additional 20 hours of preparation for the main exam and assessment preparation 20 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress during module: Feedback from the in-course assessment and the on-line data analysis and problem-solving exercises via the VLE.

Progress after module: Exam results.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Problem solving exercise based on recombinant DNA technology	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 50 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2017

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