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Targets, Assays & Screening

Stephanie Dodd, MSc. , Sabine Guth, PhD, Thomas M. Smith, PhD, Alan P. Brown, PhD, DABT , Erland Stevens, PhD, W. Ross Tracey, PhD, Sujal Deshmukh, PhD, and Douglas S. Auld, PhD

This course focuses on the early stages of drug discovery and the identification of promising compounds with which to begin the hunt for a novel drug.  Different types of assays and methods are reviewed that are used to screen libraries of molecules in the preliminary search for compounds with activity.  Methods are discussed for validating that active molecules are indeed engaging a target associated with a predicted therapeutic benefit.

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This course focuses on the early stages of drug discovery and the identification of promising compounds with which to begin the hunt for a novel drug.  Different types of assays and methods are reviewed that are used to screen libraries of molecules in the preliminary search for compounds with activity.  Methods are discussed for validating that active molecules are indeed engaging a target associated with a predicted therapeutic benefit.

Target audience: This course is suitable for life scientists, clinicians, and individuals from fields that support drug discovery (e.g., patents, finance, licensing, etc.) interested in learning more about the pharmaceutical/biotechnology sector. Advanced undergraduate coursework or practical familiarity/working knowledge in biological sciences and organic chemistry is recommended.

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Syllabus

Targets, Assays & Screening, part 1
Welcome, by the end of the course students will be able to: Recognize the differences between target-based and phenotypic drug discovery. Differentiate between common library types and screening approaches for identifying small molecule hits. Describe some of the assay types used in early screening and factors to consider in their design.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for those who are new to drug discovery
Provides an introduction to the early stages of drug discovery
Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology sector
Suitable for life scientists, clinicians, and individuals from fields that support drug discovery

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Reviews summary

Drug discovery foundations: clear & practical

According to students, 'Targets, Assays & Screening' is a largely positive course, providing a clear and concise introduction to the early stages of drug discovery. Learners praise its ability to distill complex topics into digestible content, making it an excellent foundational course for those entering the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sector. Many find the content highly relevant and practical for their professional roles, appreciating the well-structured and bite-sized modules. While it offers a solid theoretical foundation, some students note it can be high-level, suggesting it's a better overview than a deep dive and may require supplemental study for expert-level knowledge.
Highly relevant to real-world drug discovery.
"I found the explanations of different assay types and screening approaches to be highly practical."
"I appreciated the real-world context given."
"Absolutely vital for understanding the initial phases of drug development."
Builds a strong base for industry entry.
"Excellent foundational course! It expertly covers the critical steps in identifying promising compounds."
"A solid overview of targets, assays, and screening. The modules are bite-sized and cover the fundamentals effectively."
"I feel much more confident discussing these topics in my professional role. It's a fantastic primer..."
Provides a clear and concise overview.
"This course provides an incredibly clear and concise introduction to the early stages of drug discovery."
"The content is well-structured and easy to follow, making complex topics digestible."
"It clearly lays out the entire process from target identification to lead optimization."
Could benefit from more hands-on cases.
"The course offers a good theoretical foundation, but I was hoping for more hands-on examples or case studies beyond what was presented."
"The concepts are explained well, but applying them is where the real challenge lies, and the course didn't quite bridge that gap for me."
"Good for theory, less so for practical application."
Great overview but lacks in-depth specifics.
"While it's a great starting point... it might feel a bit high-level for seasoned professionals..."
"Content is generally good, but I felt some parts were a bit superficial. For instance, more depth on specific high-throughput screening technologies would have been beneficial."
"It's a good general introduction, but don't expect to become an expert from this alone. Requires supplemental reading."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Targets, Assays & Screening with these activities:
Review background in organic chemistry
This course requires a background in organic chemistry. This will reactivate those neural pathways, making it easier for you to learn this course material.
Browse courses on Organic Chemistry
Show steps
  • Review notes and textbooks
  • Complete practice problems
  • Attend review sessions
Review 'Medicinal Chemistry: An Introduction'
This introductory textbook provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal chemistry. It will provide you with a strong foundation on which to build your knowledge in this course.
View Medicinal Chemistry on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read assigned chapters in the textbook
  • Take notes and highlight key concepts
  • Complete end-of-chapter questions
  • Attend guest lectures
Organize your notes and study materials
Taking the time to organize your materials will make it easier for you to study for exams and review the material later.
Show steps
  • Gather all of your notes, handouts, and other materials
  • Organize your materials into a logical order
  • Create a study schedule
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Practice solving drug design problems
Solving practice problems will help you develop your problem-solving skills and improve your understanding of the material.
Show steps
  • Find practice problems
  • Solve the problems
  • Check your answers
  • Review your mistakes
Answer questions on discussion forums
Helping others by answering their questions will help reinforce your knowledge on the subject.
Show steps
  • Find discussion forums related to the course material
  • Answer questions that other students post
  • Review the answers of other students

Career center

Learners who complete Targets, Assays & Screening will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Course image
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Novartis
Instructors
Stephanie Dodd, MSc.
Sabine Guth, PhD
Thomas M. Smith, PhD
Alan P. Brown, PhD, DABT
Erland Stevens, PhD
W. Ross Tracey, PhD
Sujal Deshmukh, PhD
Douglas S. Auld, PhD
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Builds a strong foundation for those who are new to drug discovery
Provides an introduction to the early stages of drug discovery
Taught by instructors who are recognized for their work in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology sector
Suitable for life scientists, clinicians, and individuals from fields that support drug discovery
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