Entry requirements

Structure and Function of Proteins, 10 credits or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

After completed course, the students are expected to be able to

• Describe how the properties of proteins relate to various disease processes
• Describe the mechanism of drugs directed against proteins
• Principally design a molecule that interferes with the normal function of a protein
• Experimentally identify and characterise molecules that interfere with the normal functions of proteins
• Produce and present a scientific poster

Content

• Examples and concepts: Projects defined by protein class, e.g. proteases. Projects by defined disease areas, e.g. cancer, antiviral drugs.
• Pharmaceutical substances: Nature as a source for drugs. Rational drug design. Fragment based drug discovery.
• Drug targets: Receptors, ion channels, enzymes, nucleic acids.
• Biochemical methods for drug development: Target identification and characterisation. Lead identification and characterisation.
• Lead optimisation: Selectivity, resistance, ADME. Pro-drugs and pharmaceutical formulations.
• From the pharmaceutical industry to the clinic: pharmacokinetics, clinical studies. Generics.
• Individual project: The mechanism of action for a given drug at the biochemical level has to be presented in form of a scientific poster.

Instruction

The course is given in form of lectures and to a large extent in form of theoretical exercises and projects.

Exercises and projects are compulsory and are carried out individually.

Assessment

Experimental and theoretical exercises and projects (2.5 credits) are examined during the course. An overall examination (2.5 credits) is given at the end of the course. The final grade for the course is given as a weighted average grade for all compulsory parts.