Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery from edX

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

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores drug discovery case studies, a topic that is highly relevant to the pharmaceutical industry

Case studies are read from the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry website, which is a respected source of information for the topic

Taught by Erland Stevens, who is an esteemed instructor with a strong reputation in the field of drug discovery

Provides assessment questions for verified track students, which allows for evaluation of understanding

Requires a fundamental understanding of organic molecules, which may be a barrier for some students

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:

Compilation of drug discovery tools and resources

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Create a database or a list of essential drug discovery tools and resources for your future reference.

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Identify and evaluate different drug discovery tools and resources, such as databases, software, and protocols.
Organize and categorize the information in a clear and accessible format.
Share your compilation with your classmates.

Review of organic chemistry

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Refresh your understanding of organic chemistry, which is essential for understanding the structure of drugs.

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Review your notes from your previous organic chemistry course.
Take practice problems on topics such as functional groups, reaction mechanisms, and stereochemistry.
Read articles or watch videos on recent advances in organic chemistry.

Review of "Medicinal Chemistry: A Molecular and Biochemical Approach"

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the field of medicinal chemistry, covering topics such as drug design, synthesis, and evaluation.

View Medicinal Chemistry: A Molecular and... on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters from the book.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Complete the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Five other activities

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Practice problems on drug activity and pharmacokinetics

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Reinforce your understanding of drug activity and pharmacokinetics through practice problems.

Browse courses on Drug Activity

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Find practice problems in your course materials or online resources.
Solve the problems, checking your answers against provided solutions.
Identify areas where you need further review.

Study group for drug case study discussions

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Engage in discussions with your classmates to enhance your understanding of the drug case studies.

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Form a study group with 3-5 classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss the drug case studies.
Take turns presenting your insights and leading discussions.

Tutorial on pharmacokinetics

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Pharmacokinetics is crucial for understanding how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body.

Browse courses on Pharmacokinetics

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Find a reputable online tutorial or course on pharmacokinetics.
Follow the tutorial, taking notes and completing any exercises.
Apply your newfound knowledge to the drug case studies in the course.

Annotated bibliography of drug discovery resources

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Create a resource that helps you and your classmates quickly find and evaluate relevant drug discovery information.

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Identify reputable sources of drug discovery information, such as journals, databases, and websites.
Read and summarize key articles and resources, focusing on their relevance to the course topics.
Organize your summaries into a well-structured and easy-to-navigate bibliography.

Drug discovery proposal

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Develop a comprehensive proposal for a new drug discovery project, applying the knowledge and skills you learn in the course.

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Identify an unmet medical need or a specific disease target.
Research existing drugs and treatments for the target.
Propose a novel drug discovery approach, including a rationale and experimental design.

Career center

Learners who complete Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pharmaceutical Researcher

Pharmaceutical Researchers are responsible for discovering and developing new drugs. They work in laboratories to design, synthesize, and test new compounds. This course would be helpful for Pharmaceutical Researchers because it provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Pharmaceutical Researchers as they work to develop new drugs.

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Medicinal Chemist

Medicinal Chemists design and synthesize new drugs and study their effects on living organisms. This course would be helpful for Medicinal Chemists because it provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Medicinal Chemists as they work to develop new drugs.

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Pharmacologist

Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on living organisms. They work in laboratories to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs. This course would be helpful for Pharmacologists because it provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Pharmacologists as they work to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new drugs.

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Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of chemicals on living organisms. They work in laboratories to assess the safety of new drugs and other products. This course would be helpful for Toxicologists because it provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Toxicologists as they work to assess the safety of new drugs and other products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates manage clinical trials of new drugs. They work with patients to collect data on the safety and efficacy of new drugs. This course would be helpful for Clinical Research Associates because it provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Clinical Research Associates as they work to manage clinical trials of new drugs.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that drugs are safe and meet all regulatory requirements. They work with government agencies to review and approve new drugs. This course would be helpful for Regulatory Affairs Specialists because it provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Regulatory Affairs Specialists as they work to ensure that drugs are safe and meet all regulatory requirements.

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Patent Attorney

Patent Attorneys help clients to obtain and protect patents for new inventions. They work with clients to develop patent applications and prosecute them through the patent process. This course may be helpful for Patent Attorneys who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Patent Attorneys as they work to obtain and protect patents for new drugs.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers create and edit written materials about medical topics. They work with doctors, scientists, and other healthcare professionals to develop patient education materials, clinical trial protocols, and other documents. This course may be helpful for Medical Writers who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Medical Writers as they work to create and edit written materials about medical topics.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants advise healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations. They work with clients to develop strategies for improving patient care, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency. This course may be helpful for Healthcare Consultants who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Healthcare Consultants as they work to develop strategies for improving patient care, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Science Writer

Science Writers write about scientific topics for a variety of audiences. They work with scientists, engineers, and other experts to translate complex scientific concepts into clear and concise language. This course may be helpful for Science Writers who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Science Writers as they work to translate complex scientific concepts into clear and concise language.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. They work with students to develop their knowledge and skills. This course may be helpful for Teachers who teach science or health. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Teachers as they work to educate students about the drug discovery process.

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Sales Representative

Sales Representatives sell products and services to businesses and consumers. They work with clients to identify their needs and develop solutions. This course may be helpful for Sales Representatives who sell pharmaceuticals. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Sales Representatives as they work to sell pharmaceuticals.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers study the market to identify opportunities for new products and services. They work with clients to develop marketing strategies and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. This course may be helpful for Market Researchers who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Market Researchers as they work to identify opportunities for new pharmaceuticals.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes to identify opportunities for improvement. They work with clients to develop solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness. This course may be helpful for Business Analysts who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Business Analysts as they work to identify opportunities for improvement in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. They work with clients to develop investment portfolios and manage risk. This course may be helpful for Financial Analysts who specialize in the pharmaceutical industry. The course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, including lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. This knowledge would be valuable for Financial Analysts as they work to make investment recommendations in the pharmaceutical industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst