Pharmaceutical Chemistry, a core subject of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the drug discovery and development pathway. Named Medicinal Chemistry in the Anglo-Saxon and Northern Europe and Pharmaceutical Chemistry in the countries of southern and central Europe, it is internationally recognized as a transversal subject able to integrate many knowledge areas as Chemistry, Biology or Pharmacology, aiming at the development of new therapeutic agents based on their mechanisms of action and molecular targets. In Portugal, Pharmaceutical Chemistry has acquired an increasing importance as a cutting-edge research area with scientific work recognized through publications in prestigious international journals, international collaborations and Masters/PhD advanced training.
The Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, was the first Portuguese institution to offer postgraduate training in this area, through the Master Course in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry. Aiming at adapting the Master program to the new Pharmaceutical Chemistry paradigms, the Course is currently named Master in Medicinal and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry.
Specific aims:
- To provide knowledge of the general methodology for drug synthesis;
- To understand the impact of metabolism and pharmacokinetics in drug design;
- To highlight the importance of molecular modeling in the discovery and design of new drugs;
- To provide the basic methodology of structural identification, using spectroscopic methods;
- To provide new research strategies for discovering drug leads from plant derived-bioactive compounds;
- To provide knowledge in Biological Chemistry that allow functionalization of biomolecules;
- To provide methodologies, in drug discovery and development, for target Identification and diagnostics;
- To apply the knowledge described above, in an integrated manner, towards the study of specific groups of drugs, focusing on the current state of knowledge and the problems to be solved;
- To stimulate critical reading of scientific literature;
- To provide an introduction to scientific research in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Teaching Language
Should a non-Portuguese speaking applicant be admitted, classes are taught in English. The course contents and materials are often in English.
