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For the classes of drugs taught in the UC, students will be expected to:
(i) have an understanding of the mechanism of action of selected agents in relation to molecular targets; (ii) be aware that drug design and modifications in the
chemical structure could result in altered or modified activities and mechanisms of action; (iii) correlate the potency of the drugs and the type of interactions
established with the molecular target; ; (iv) describe qualitatively the structure-activity relationships and discuss their significance in specific drug development
processes; (v) establish the synthetic routes for selected drugs presented in the lectures;
The course is designed to cover the study of important classes of drugs affecting the adrenergic, system;opioids; steroids; anti and pro-apoptotic agents; antiinfective agents (antivirals and antimalarial agents); neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s); bioconjugated drugs. Emphasis will be placed on physical, chemical and biochemical properties of drug substances, the relationship between chemical structure and activity, and the molecular basis for drugreceptor interactions. The Medicinal Chemistry topics are integrated with relevant topics of biochemistry, physiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacology and structural biology.
In laboratory classes the focus will be placed in the varied aspects of practical medicinal chemistry and aim to acquaint the students with the synthesis of important medicinal compounds.
Exercises and case studies related with lecture topics are solved in tutorials. Research papers will be critically analysed and orally presented by students.