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Erland Stevens

This medicinal chemistry course explores how chemists modify a molecule’s structure to design a safe and effective drug.

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This medicinal chemistry course explores how chemists modify a molecule’s structure to design a safe and effective drug.

This course opens with a brief history of drug discovery and introduces the modern drug approval process.Then, we will transition to learning about receptors and enzymes, the body’s molecules most often targeted by drugs.We will also discuss the topics of pharmacokinetics (drug adsorption, elimination, and half-life) and metabolism. The course closes with units on how potential drug molecules are identified and subsequently optimized into safe and effective drugs.

What you'll learn

  • How to measure the activity of enzymes and receptors
  • Methods for modeling a drug’s half-life
  • How to predict and alter the metabolism of a molecule
  • Techniques for discovering molecules with desired biological activity
  • Approaches for optimizing a molecule into a safe and effective drug

This course is offered through a collaboration between DavidsonX and the Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research.

_Courses offered via edX.org are not eligible for academic credit from Davidson College. A passing score in a DavidsonX course(s) will only be eligible for a verified certificate generated by edX.org.

_

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to measure the activity of enzymes and receptors
  • Methods for modeling a drug’s half-life
  • How to predict and alter the metabolism of a molecule
  • Techniques for discovering molecules with desired biological activity
  • Approaches for optimizing a molecule into a safe and effective drug
  • this course is offered through a collaboration between davidsonx and the novartis institutes of biomedical research.
  • _courses offered via edx.org are not eligible for academic credit from davidson college. a passing score in a davidsonx course(s) will only be eligible for a verified certificate generated by edx.org.
  • _

Syllabus

Week 1: Pre-Regulatory Medicine and the Drug Approval Process Early natural products and synthetic molecules used as drugs Safety issues in the first drugs Modern drug discovery and approval process Intellectual property issues with drugs Week 2: Drug Targets Structure of proteins Enzymes, enzymatic activity, and inhibition Receptors and molecules that modulate their activity Examination 1 Week 3: Pharmacokinetics Drug transport in the blood Clearance Volume of distribution Compartment modeling Week 4: Metabolism Types of metabolic reactions Genetic and population effects Prodrugs Examination 2 Week 5: Binding, Structure, and Diversity Intermolecular forces Drug-target complementarity Molecular diversity and chemical libraries Combinatorial chemistry Week 6: Lead Discovery Drug screening Filtering hits to find leads Existing drugs and natural products as leads Week 7: Lead Optimization Functional group replacements Alkyl group replacements Isosteres and bioisosteres Peptidomimetics Examination 3

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for learners who want to understand newest forms of drug development and research
Taught by Erland Stevens, who are well-established in the field of medicinal chemistry
Partners with Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, a highly regarded institution in the field
Provides a deep dive on topics of drug discovery and design, relevant to both industry and academia

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Reviews summary

Medicinal chemistry: interesting course

According to students, this is an interesting course where students learn a lot about drug discovery and development. The course is instructional and engaging.
Students find this course very interesting.
"I found this course very interesting!"
The course is instructional and engaging.
"It is very instructional about drug discovery and development."
Students learn a lot about drug discovery and development.
"I learned a lot from this course."

Activities

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Career center

Learners who complete Medicinal Chemistry: The Molecular Basis of Drug Discovery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Pharmaceutical Scientist
Pharmaceutical Scientists play a vital role in the development of new drugs. They use their knowledge of chemistry, biology, and pharmacology to design, develop, and test new drugs. This course would be very helpful for someone who wants to become a Pharmaceutical Scientist because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of drug discovery. The course covers topics such as drug targets, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism, which are all essential for understanding how drugs work. This course would help you build professional credibility in this field and enable you to seek out opportunities in big pharma companies.
Medicinal Chemist
Medicinal Chemists use their knowledge of chemistry to design and develop new drugs. They work closely with other scientists, such as biologists and pharmacologists, to identify and validate new drug targets. This course would be very helpful for someone who wants to become a Medicinal Chemist because it provides a strong foundation in medicinal chemistry. The course will help you develop the skills needed to identify and optimize drug candidates, and will prepare you for a successful career in this field.
Pharmacologist
Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on the body. They use their knowledge to develop new drugs, understand how drugs work, and improve drug safety. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Pharmacologist because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of pharmacology. The course covers topics such as drug targets, pharmacokinetics, and drug metabolism, which are all essential for understanding how drugs work in the body.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. They use their knowledge to develop new drugs, understand diseases, and improve human health. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Biochemist because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of biochemistry. The course covers topics such as enzyme kinetics, receptor binding, and drug metabolism, which are all essential for understanding how drugs work.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Specialists work to ensure that drugs are safe and effective. They prepare regulatory submissions, represent companies before regulatory agencies, and monitor drug safety. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Regulatory Affairs Specialist because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of drug regulation. The course covers topics such as the drug approval process, clinical trial design, and risk management, which are all essential for understanding how drugs are regulated.
Toxicologist
Toxicologists study the effects of chemicals on the body. They use their knowledge to assess the safety of new drugs, chemicals, and environmental pollutants. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Toxicologist because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of toxicology. The course covers topics such as drug metabolism, toxicity testing, and risk assessment, which are all essential for understanding how chemicals can affect the body.
Drug Safety Scientist
Drug Safety Scientists work to ensure the safety of new drugs. They review clinical trial data, conduct risk assessments, and develop safety plans. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Drug Safety Scientist because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of drug safety. The course covers topics such as pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and toxicity testing, which are all essential for understanding how drugs can affect the body.
Science Writer
Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to a general audience. They write articles, press releases, and other materials for a variety of outlets, including newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Science Writer because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of science writing. The course covers topics such as science journalism, science communication, and science writing style, which are all essential for understanding how to write about science effectively.
Patent Attorney
Patent Attorneys specialize in the area of law that deals with patents. They help clients obtain, protect, and enforce patents for their inventions. This course would be helpful for someone who wants to become a Patent Attorney because it provides a strong foundation in the principles of patent law. The course covers topics such as patent searching, patent drafting, and patent prosecution, which are all essential for understanding how to obtain and protect patents.
Biotechnology Analyst
Biotechnology Analysts follow the biotechnology industry and provide investment advice to clients. They analyze financial data, conduct research, and make recommendations on whether to buy, sell, or hold biotechnology stocks. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Biotechnology Analyst because it provides a general overview of the biotechnology industry. The course covers topics such as drug discovery, clinical trials, and regulatory affairs, which are all important for understanding the biotechnology industry.
Health Policy Analyst
Health Policy Analysts analyze health policy and make recommendations on how to improve the healthcare system. They work for government agencies, think tanks, and other organizations. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Health Policy Analyst because it provides a general overview of health policy. The course covers topics such as health insurance, healthcare financing, and healthcare disparities, which are all important for understanding health policy.
Healthcare Consultant
Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on a variety of topics, such as strategy, operations, and finance. They help healthcare organizations improve their performance and achieve their goals. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Healthcare Consultant because it provides a general overview of the healthcare industry. The course covers topics such as healthcare policy, healthcare economics, and healthcare delivery systems, which are all important for understanding the healthcare industry.
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Research Associates manage clinical trials. They work with investigators, patients, and other staff to ensure that clinical trials are conducted safely and ethically. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Clinical Research Associate because it provides a general overview of clinical research. The course covers topics such as study design, data collection, and data analysis, which are all important for understanding how clinical trials are conducted.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives sell drugs to doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. They provide information about drugs, answer questions, and help healthcare providers make decisions about which drugs to use. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative because it provides a general overview of the pharmaceutical industry. The course covers topics such as drug development, clinical trials, and drug marketing, which are all important for understanding the pharmaceutical industry.
Science Teacher
Science Teachers teach science to students in grades K-12. They develop lesson plans, conduct experiments, and assess student learning. This course may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Science Teacher because it provides a general overview of science education. The course covers topics such as science curriculum, science pedagogy, and science assessment, which are all important for understanding how to teach science effectively.

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