Description
This course is a part of the Patient Care Cluster V dealing with the characteristics and use of drugs intended for modulation of the immune system, treatment of immune disorders, together with immune-based cancer therapy. Basic chemical structure of prototype molecules of drug classes addressing the aforementioned disorders will be provided with the aim of explaining the structural basis of biological activity and pharmacokinetic properties. Students will be exposed to the concepts of computer-aided drug design for these drug classes. Chemical concerns with impact on clinical practice involving the use of these drugs are discussed. Practical and simulation exercises are used to enhance the students’ knowledge of the various possible chemical modifications intended to enhance biological activity, alter metabolism, and improve stability.
Program
Bachelor of Pharmacy-B Pharm
Objectives
- a. Knowledge and Understanding
a.1. Recognize the chemical structure, pharmacophore moieties and consequently the structure activity relationships in each class of drugs used in the above-mentioned disorders.
a.2. Explain the relationship between chemical structure and pharmacodynamics & pharmacokinetics in each drug class.
a.3. Discuss the process of drug design, synthesis, and metabolism in certain classes of the studied drugs.
a.4. State the side effects and uses of the studied drugs in relation to their structure.
a.5. Describe the principle of ligand-based drug design (LBDD) strategies of drug-receptor interactions through computer-aided drug design techniques.
b. Intellectual Skills
b.1. Relate the concepts of drug receptor interactions to their activity.
b.2. Predict the biological response of some drugs and medical use by referring to their chemical structures.
b.3. Predict the activity of compounds according to the different techniques in molecular modeling.
b.4. Modify a compound structure to alter its physicochemical properties.
b.5. Suggest the suitable route of administration of different drugs according to their chemical features.
c. Professional and Practical Skills
c.1. Examine a drug structure to deduce relative receptor affinity, metabolic pathways, distribution potential, and potential side effects or toxicities based on functional group properties and structural similarity to other pharmacophores.
c.2. Design new chemical entities of drugs with improved biological activity based on computer aided drug design (in silico docking protocols).
c.3. Perform suitable analytical methods for the assay of an active ingredient in a bulk or a single component.
d. General and Transferable Skills
d.1. Develop self-learning abilities via answering simple research questions.
d.2. Interact efficiently with others.
