Doel vak

To get students acquainted with modern chemical biology techniques to
study proteins and the modulation of their function, with a specific
emphasis on drug discovery

Inhoud vak

In this course emphasis will be given on the interface between Chemistry
and Biology. How can one understand biological processes using small
molecules? How can one identify small molecules targeting new
biochemical pathways, either by using modern biochemical or cellular
assays or in silico using the wealth of new information from structural
biology? How to detect and/or modulate DNA, RNA and protein expression
and/or function with chemical probes? These are the questions that are
central to this course.

Onderwijsvorm

lectures, tutorial, consultancy sessions and case study/presentation

Toetsvorm

Students will work in small groups on an integrated case study. Based on
primary literature, background information from Comprehensive Medicinal
Chemistry, interaction with “Protein Champions”, students will work on a
“Chemical Biology Protein Report” and oral presentation. Finally, there
will be a written examination at the end of the course on the various
topics presented in the course.

Final grades will be based on results of the case study (35%), case
presentation and discussion (15%) and final exam (50%). Each part must
at least be satisfactory (mark “6 out of 10” or higher).

Vereiste voorkennis

Bachelor Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Natural Science, Science,
Business and Innovation or Chemistry. Portal course MSc Biomolecular
Science or Principles of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Signal Transduction in
Health and Disease, or equivalent for mBMS students and students with
Bsc SBI or Chemistry.

With a BSc SBI or Chemistry, please contact prof. Leurs before
registration on your eligibility to participate.

Literatuur

Selected book chapters from Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry II, 2007,
Elsevier, Editors-in-Chief: John B. Taylor and David J. Triggle
(available at VU library as e-book) and primary literature.

Doelgroep

mBMS-BC, mCh-SBI (2nd year), mDDS-BCCA, mDDS-CMCT, mDDS-DD&S, mDDS-DDSA,
mDDS-DDTF, mDDS-C-var, mDDS-E-var, mDDS-M-var, mPhys-SBI (2nd year)

Overige informatie

Presence is obliged at predefined moments of the course (e.g. kick-off
meeting, presentation session, examination) for finishing the course
successfully.

Afwijkende intekenprocedure

Please register as soon as possible online as there is a maximum number of students that can enter the course.