THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2019/2020

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Biological Sciences : Postgraduate

Postgraduate Course: Drug Discovery (MSc Level) (PGBI11088)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Biological Sciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course provides a broad overview of the drug discovery and development process, and in particular structure based drug design. Pharmaceutical drugs have traditionally developed from herbal remedies or from the random screening for beneficial effects of natural or synthetic chemicals. We now have a detailed understanding of many diseases at a molecular level.

The aim of this course is to explain how we can use the structure and function of proteins involved in a disease to discover new potential drug molecules. The course provides a background on how proteins are selected as potential disease targets and introduces the various biochemical, computational and biophysical techniques used in ligand discovery.

The course also has a practical component and computational workshops will provide hands-on experience with modeling and docking programs to identify potential small molecule ligands as potential inhibitors against a number of protein drug targets.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  42
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 78 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Group presentation (20%)
Group presentation of and submission of PowerPoint handout of 2 pages (12 slides in total) summarising the project and evaluating the target.


Written Report (80%)
Each student will write an individual report on a potential protein drug target.
Feedback Verbal feedback will be provided on presentations, and written feedback will be provided on all assessment at the end of the course.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Increased understanding of biological and biochemical systems.
  2. An overview of the methods used in structure-based drug design
  3. An appreciation of the role molecular structure and biochemical mechanisms play in the design of new drug modules
  4. Improved presentation skills
  5. Used molecular modelling software to visualise drug-target complexes
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsDrugDisc
Contacts
Course organiserProf Malcolm Walkinshaw
Tel: (0131 6)50 3719
Email: M.Walkinshaw@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Claire Black
Tel: (0131 6)50 8637
Email: Claire.Black@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information