? Credit Points : 10  ? SCQF Level : 10  ? Acronym : BIO-4-BIDrugDis

Pharmaceutical drugs have traditionally developed from herbal remedies or from the random screening for beneficial effects of natural or synthetic chemicals. We now have a detailed understanding of many diseases at a molecular level. The aim of this course is to explain how we can use the structure and function of proteins involved in a disease to design new potential drug molecules. There are now over ten examples of drugs which are now in the clinic which have been devised and developed using this so called 'Rational Drug Design' approach. Some better known examples will be discussed including inhibitors for HIV-protease (AIDS), neuraminidase (influenza), thrombin (thrombosis) and collagenase (degenerative diseases). We will also look at some of the computer-graphics methods used to design and model potential inhibitor ligands into the binding pockets of target proteins.

? Pre-requisites : Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.

? Costs : Notepads

Home subject area

Biology, (School of Biological Sciences, Schedule K)

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Block 3 only

? Contact Teaching Time : 5 hour(s) 30 minutes per week for 5 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 08/01/2008 14:00 16:00 Room 2.29, Swann Building KB

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 14:00 15:50 KB Lecture Friday 14:00 15:50 KB

Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later.

Essay

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Dr Matylda Sczaniecka
Tel : (0131 6)50 5454
Email : matylda.sczaniecka@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Dr Jim Allan
Tel : (0131 6)50 5416
Email : J.Allan@ed.ac.uk

School Website : http://www.biology.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.scieng.ed.ac.uk/