2017-2-CMED823-001 DRUG DISCOVERY

Course Objective

This course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, focusing on major drug targets associated with diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular, inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. The course covers the biological and chemical principles of target identification, drug screening, and drug actions.

Various drug discovery models, platforms and methodologies for identifying and designing new drugs will be discussed. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of drug targets, drug-biomolecule interactions and various drug screening methods. 

Text

Selected from current literature on the following topics:

  • the major drug target types and basic drug properties
  • the basic physics and chemistry of drug-target interactions
  • target-based drug discovery for cancer, immune disorders and other diseases
  • the major methods to evaluate drug-target interactions
  • biochemical and cellular methods to screen for hits

Course Requirements (100%)

1) Attendance/participation                            20%

2) Paper assignment/sharing                          40%

3) Exam (including presentation)                    40%