Ateneo - UPO

The course focuses on the processes involved in the discovery, optimization, and validation of molecules with biological activity, utilizing techniques such as lead discovery, lead optimization, QSAR, molecular modeling, and ADMET. During the lectures, students will explore the fundamental aspects and requirements of biotechnology applied to obtaining secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical interest, addressing the challenges associated with their production. The course will cover innovative plant biotechnology techniques, such as in vitro culture of plant tissues and cells, in vitro production of secondary metabolites, and genetic engineering techniques. These topics will be supported by practical examples, including the biotechnological production of active ingredients, with a detailed discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.

See the description of the individual modules.

Educational Objectives
The objective of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles of pharmaceutical chemistry and applied biotechnologies. By the end of the course, students will know and understand the fundamental concepts of pharmaceutical chemistry, including the pathway followed by drugs in the body, from the pharmaceutical phase to the pharmacodynamic phase. They will also be instructed on the strategies underlying drug discovery, drug design, and drug development, using both classical approaches and modern techniques such as computer simulations.

Students will acquire the knowledge and terminology necessary to describe the main biotechnological processes applied to the plant and cellular world. They will be able to apply this knowledge to obtain secondary metabolites of importance for the pharmaceutical and food industries, recognize chemical structures, discuss their chemical-physical properties, mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationships, and metabolic properties, and propose possible synthesis pathways.

Additionally, students will develop the ability to autonomously manage the acquired knowledge, express critical judgments on structure-activity relationships, metabolism, toxicity, production, and drug interactions. They will be provided with tools for the critical evaluation of scientific texts and articles. Students will be able to communicate effectively, using correct terminology and illustrating the topics covered in class in an original way. Finally, they will develop the ability to dynamically and autonomously learn and manage knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical chemistry and applied biotechnologies.

Knowledge of organic chemistry and biology.

See the description of the individual modules.

See the description of the individual modules.

The exam will be about the content of the modules. The final grade will be decided by the exam commission.

See the description of the individual modules.

By the end of the course, students will have learned the basic principles of pharmaceutical chemistry, from pharmacokinetic to pharmacodynamic aspects. They will be able to apply these general principles to a drug molecule, evaluating its chemical, metabolic aspects, and drug-likeness. Additionally, they will have understood the role of pharmaceutical chemistry in the drug discovery and drug design process, as well as the strategies that can be implemented to improve a molecule's pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.

Furthermore, students will have acquired a good knowledge of the main traditional and innovative biotechnological techniques applied to cell cultures, plants, and tissues, aimed at obtaining secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical, industrial, and food interest. They will understand their main applications and demonstrate autonomy in describing the advantages, disadvantages, and necessity of these techniques, expressing themselves with communication skills and language proficiency.