Class Medicinal Organic Chemistry

Organic Medicinal Chemistry studies the design and development of drugs and the molecular mechanisms of drug interaction with molecular targets. This uc combines the knowledge of chemistry and pharmacology to identify, develop and synthesize drugs that have a therapeutic use and to assess the properties of existing drugs.  

Not applicable

1. Introduction to organic medicinal chemistry: drugs, drug targets and intermolecular interactions. 2. Drug targets: structure and function. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. 3. Discovery, design, and development of drugs: prototypes and analogs, isolation, purification, and determination of structure, sources of prototypes, and drugs from natural products, and medicinal plants. Optimization of molecular target interactions. Molecular target access optimization. 4. Tools for commercialization: clinical and pre-clinical trials, patents, regulatory affairs, and chemical process development 5. Tools for medicinal chemistry: Combinatorial and Computational Chemistry, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relations (QSAR). 6. Topics in Medicinal Chemistry: antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer agents, drugs that affect neurotransmission (cholinergic, adrenergic, and dopaminergic). Opioid and anti-ulcer analgesics.

In this course, innovative methodologies are used to optimize the teaching and learning process. Theoretical classes provide the conceptual foundation, while laboratory sessions allow for practical application of the concepts. The educational materials are available on the Moodle platform, with interactive resources. The course includes a fieldwork component, in the form of a visit to a pharmaceutical industry, offering a relevant practical experience. Assessment involves written tests, presentation and discussion of a written assignment, and analysis of scientific articles. Laboratory notebooks are evaluated, including a project using virtual reality (VR4NewDrugs) to simulate the development of new drugs. These methodologies ensure comprehensive and practical learning.

1. Patrick, G. L. (2005). An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry. Oxford: University Press. 2. Thomas, G. (2008). Medicinal Chemistry: An Introduction. New Jersey: John Wiley & sons. 3. Vollhardt, K. P. C., Schore,  N. E. (2014). Organic Chemistry: structure and function. New York: Freeman and Company.