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Erland Stevens

In this course about drug discovery case studies, students will read five different Drug Annotations articles. Each article will require approximately two hours to read thoroughly and fully process. Including assessment questions based on the articles, the full course should require no more than 15 hours of effort.

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In this course about drug discovery case studies, students will read five different Drug Annotations articles. Each article will require approximately two hours to read thoroughly and fully process. Including assessment questions based on the articles, the full course should require no more than 15 hours of effort.

Students in the course should understand lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. A fundamental understanding of the structure of organic molecules and their functional groups is also required. The course has no structure beyond having a module for each case study article. A handful of 10-15-minute videos with discussions of other Drug Annotation articles are provided for reference. Each module provides a link to the open access article on the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry website.

Students signed up for the Audit Track have access to the links to the case studies and the sample Drug Annotation article videos. Students enrolled through the Verified Track also have access to assessment questions.

What you'll learn

Students will learn about several drug programs in the pharmaceutical industry…

  • AZD4831 – a compound that reduces incidence of heart failure

  • MRTX0902 – a compound with anti-tumor activity

  • pritelivir – a compound that treats herpes simplex virus infections

  • reldesemitiv -a compound that treats impaired muscle function

  • sebetralstat – a compound that treats hereditary angioedema

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Helps students become more familiar with how the drug discovery and development process works
Offers meticulously designed case studies that closely follow real-world examples
Provides learners with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of drug discovery
Useful for students pursuing careers in the pharmaceutical industry or related fields
Requires a basic understanding of organic chemistry and pharmacology
May not be suitable for complete beginners in the field of drug discovery

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Reviews summary

Literature-driven drug discovery case studies

According to students, this course offers incredibly insightful, real-world case studies that solidify understanding of drug discovery principles like lead optimization and preclinical safety. Many find it concise yet packed with information, making it ideal for busy professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge. The focus on open-access Drug Annotations articles is a unique and highly practical approach. However, learners frequently note that a strong prior understanding of core drug discovery concepts and organic chemistry is essential, indicating it's not suitable for beginners and some desired more extensive pedagogical support beyond the direct articles.
Valued for its brief, focused commitment.
"The self-paced nature works well, and the 15-hour estimate seems accurate."
"It's concise yet packed with information."
"This is perfect for busy professionals looking to refresh or deepen their understanding without a huge time commitment."
"The brevity is a strength for busy professionals."
Unique structure relying on open-access scientific articles.
"The focus on Drug Annotations articles is unique and provides a deep dive into specific compounds like MRTX0902."
"I loved diving into the actual Drug Annotation articles."
"The fact that it uses open-access articles is a huge plus."
"I appreciated the emphasis on critical reading of scientific literature."
Deepens understanding with practical, relevant examples.
"This course was exactly what I needed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in drug discovery."
"Valuable insight into real-world drug programs. The case studies are well-selected and cover important aspects like pharmacodynamics and preclinical safety."
"I loved diving into the actual Drug Annotation articles. It's a very practical approach to learning about drug development."
"I found the real-world case studies to be invaluable for my work in pharma."
Course offers minimal direct instruction beyond articles.
"The course felt like just a collection of links without much added value beyond the assessment questions. I was hoping for more instructor guidance."
"It assumes a lot of prior knowledge and doesn't do much hand-holding."
"I felt it was lacking in pedagogical support, despite good content."
Demands solid prior knowledge in chemistry and drug discovery.
"As someone relatively new to the field, I found it a bit overwhelming. It expects you to already have a strong grasp of PK/PD and organic chemistry."
"Not for complete beginners, but excellent for those with a solid foundation."
"If you're coming in without a very strong background, be prepared for a steep learning curve."
"The required background knowledge (lead selection, PK/PD, organic chemistry) is truly necessary for this course."

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 Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery with these activities:
Review fundamentals of organic chemistry
Refresh your understanding of the fundamentals of organic chemistry to strengthen your foundation for the course concepts.
Browse courses on Chemical Bonding
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes or textbook chapters on chemical bonding, functional groups, and molecular structures.
  • Practice drawing and naming organic molecules using standard conventions.
  • Solve practice problems or exercises related to organic chemistry concepts.
Gather notes
Organize your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to enhance your understanding of the course materials.
Show steps
  • Collect all your course materials.
  • Organize your materials by topic or module.
  • Review your materials regularly to reinforce your learning.
Watch online tutorials
Watch online tutorials to supplement your learning and gain a deeper understanding of the drug discovery process.
Show steps
  • Identify topics that you would like to learn more about.
  • Search for online tutorials on those topics.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Watch online videos or tutorials on drug discovery
Supplement your course materials by exploring additional resources on drug discovery to gain a broader perspective.
Browse courses on Drug Discovery
Show steps
  • Search for reputable online platforms or educational institutions offering tutorials on drug discovery.
  • Select videos or tutorials that cover topics relevant to the course, such as lead selection or pharmacokinetics.
  • Take notes or summarize the key concepts presented in the tutorials.
Participate in online discussion forums related to drug discovery
Engage with fellow students and experts in the field by participating in online discussions to enhance your understanding.
Browse courses on Drug Discovery
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums or groups focused on drug discovery.
  • Read and respond to posts, asking questions and sharing your insights.
  • Collaborate with others to explore different perspectives and expand your knowledge.
Solve practice problems
Solve practice problems to improve your understanding of the drug discovery process and reinforce your knowledge of key concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify areas where you need additional practice.
  • Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
  • Practice solving the problems until you feel confident in your understanding.
Attend webinars or workshops
Attend webinars or workshops to learn from experts in the field of drug discovery and stay up-to-date on the latest research.
Show steps
  • Find webinars or workshops that are relevant to your interests.
  • Register for the event and attend.
  • Take notes and ask questions during the event.
Create a summary of a research paper on drug discovery
Apply your understanding of drug discovery by summarizing and analyzing a research paper in the field.
Browse courses on Drug Discovery
Show steps
  • Identify a research paper related to the topics covered in the course.
  • Read and understand the paper thoroughly, paying attention to the research question, methods, results, and conclusions.
  • Create a concise summary that highlights the main findings and implications of the paper.

Career center

Learners who complete Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Science Librarian
A Science Librarian is an expert in drug discovery and pharmaceutical research. This course may contribute to your success as a Science Librarian by providing you with a deep knowledge of the drug discovery process.
Clinical Research Associate
As a Clinical Research Associate, you would be in charge of evaluating the safety of new medical treatments, such as drugs. The topics covered in this course, including drug activity and preclinical safety, would be very useful for you to have a solid foundation in this field.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives help educate healthcare practitioners about new drugs and treatments. This course may be useful in this role, as you would learn a great deal about the properties of drugs and how they work.
Research Scientist
Research Scientists are responsible for conducting experiments and collecting data to further the knowledge of drug discovery. The topics covered in this course would provide you with a good understanding of the fundamentals of drug discovery, which would be very helpful in this role.
Toxicologist
Toxicologists determine the potential health hazards of substances, such as drugs and chemicals. This course may be useful in this role, as you would learn about drug activity and preclinical safety, among other topics.
Medical Writer
Medical Writers are responsible for writing and editing scientific and medical content, such as drug information sheets and clinical trial reports. This course may be useful in this role, as it covers several topics that a Medical Writer should be familiar with, such as drug activity and pharmacokinetics.
Biostatistician
Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to data in the field of biology, including drug discovery. The topics covered in this course, especially pharmacokinetics, will be helpful to have a better understanding of this field.
Physician
Physicians prescribe and administer drugs to patients, which is why a course that covers drug discovery case studies may increase your knowledge of drugs and how they work. It may also be of interest as a refresher for physicians who work in research.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys help clients obtain and protect their patents, including patents for new drugs and treatments. This course may be useful for a Patent Attorney who specializes in the pharmaceutical industry, as it can provide a deeper understanding of the drug discovery process.
Pharmacist
Pharmacists dispense and advise on the use of drugs, which is why learning about the drug discovery process can be a very beneficial supplement to your existing knowledge as a Pharmacist.
Chemist
Chemists are responsible for developing and studying new chemicals and compounds, including those used in drugs. Understandably, pharmacists will benefit from learning about the drug discovery process.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineers typically design and create equipment and devices used in the medical field, including some used in drug discovery. This course will be useful by providing you with a basic knowledge of the drug discovery process and the properties of drugs.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants provide advice and guidance to healthcare organizations, such as hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. This course may be useful in this role, as it can provide you with a deeper understanding of the drug discovery process.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Medical Laboratory Scientists typically perform tests and analyze samples to help diagnose and treat diseases. This course will be useful by providing you with a deep understanding of the drug discovery process and the properties of drugs.
Epidemiologist
An Epidemiologist is a scientist who studies the distribution and patterns of health events and diseases in a population. While an understanding of drugs and the drug discovery process is not necessarily a requirement, it could be helpful depending on your area of focus.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery.
Provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal chemistry, covering the principles of drug design, discovery, and development. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
Provides a molecular and biochemical approach to medicinal chemistry, covering the principles of drug design, discovery, and development. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of drug synthesis, covering the principles of drug design, discovery, and development. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of drug metabolism and disposition, covering the principles of drug design, discovery, and development. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical chemistry, covering the principles of drug design, discovery, and development. It valuable resource for students and researchers in the field.

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