BL4216
Structure-based Drug Discovery
2023-2024
15
7
SCQF level 10
1
Academic year(s): 2023-2024
SCOTCAT credits : 15
ECTS credits : 7
Level : SCQF level 10
Semester: 1
Availability restrictions: Not automatically available to General Degree students
Planned timetable:
The process of developing a new drug from conception to the clinic takes on average 15 years and costs over $800M. There are now many examples of drugs developed based on a knowledge of the three dimensional structure of the target, and all major pharmaceutical companies have structural biology as part of their core drug discovery programmes. Many drugs currently used to combat AIDS were developed from a detailed knowledge of key HIV proteins, as were the two drugs used for influenza. Most major pharmaceutical companies are targeting kinases in the search for new cancer therapies, with international efforts focusing on producing structural details of huge numbers of human kinases.This module will examine case studies of drugs that have been developed with the aid of structure-based methods.
Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass BL2306 or pass BL3301 or pass BL3324
Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar (x 4 weeks) and 1 x 2-hour student presentations in teams representing imaginary drug companies (x 3 weeks).
Scheduled learning hours: 14
Guided independent study hours: 136
As used by St Andrews: Written Exam = 40%, Practical Exam = 40%, Coursework = 20%
As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 40%
Practical examinations : 40%
Coursework: 20%
Re-assessment: 1.5-hour Written Examination = 40%, Existing Coursework = 60%
Module coordinator: Dr T M Gloster
Module teaching staff: Team taught