Ateneo - UPO

The course begins by paying particular attention to bioorganic chemistry such as peptides and peptide synthesis, oligonucleotide and oligosaccharide synthesis, bioconjugation techniques, and antibody-drug conjugates.
Then, the concepts of supramolecular and macrocyclic chemistry will be introduced, including the synthesis of polydentate chelators. Aspects related to the ions and organic molecules recognition and self-assembly through non covalent interactions will be described in detail.
For each of these subjects we will show practical application examples in the various fields of chemistry and some examples of the recent scientific literature on the subjects will be discussed.

Slides and other material given by the teacher;
J. W. Steed and J. L. Atwood, Supramolecular Chemistry, 2nd Edition, Wiley 2013 (ISBN 9781118681503)
P. Beer, T. Barendt, J. Lim, Supramolecular Chemistry, Fundamentals and Applications, Oxford University Press (ISBN 9780198832843)

The course aims to provide the student with in-depth knowledge of bio-organic chemistry by examining important classes of biomolecules and chemical probes for imaging or therapy applications and the synthetic strategies to obtain them. Students will acquire the principles of modern synthetic strategies of macrocyclic systems and bioconjugation: Richman Atkins, click, IEDDA, ​​Staudinger reactions.
Special attention will be given to the ability of understanding, designing and drawing reaction mechanisms by selecting the best pathway of bio-organic reactions, also stereoselective or sterospecific.
Communication skills: the students will be able to use a suitable chemical vocabulary in relation to advanced organic chemistry Learning skills and ability in making judgements about new organic reactions.

Contents of the Organic Chemistry courses of the Batchelor Degree.

The course is based on classroom lectures and exercises. During the lessons, the literature references for various topics will be given to enable further investigation and encourage the student to read the primary literature.
The concepts of the course will be discussed in the classroom and applied directly during exercises in the classroom.

The teacher is available to the student for any clarification or explanation of the topics covered during the course.
Ongoing learning will be assessed through classroom exercises and collegial discussions.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam consists of a presentation of a research carried out by the student on a particular chosen subject followed by an oral examination consisting of 2-3 questions on the entire program of the course. The evaluation will take place based on the efficacy of the presentation and by testing the level of the learning objectives previously described. The passing grade is achieved by demonstrating that the student has understood the subject and is able to use the basic concepts of the topics covered during the course. Other parameters of judgment are: the ability to organize and clearly expose the answer and the acquisition of the appropriate terminology. Excellence can be achieved by demonstrating a strong ability to link-compare different topics covered during the course.

Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS): polymeric supports and linkers. Synthetic peptides: functionalization, uses and applications. Solid Phase Synthesis of oligonucleotides and of peptide-nucleic acids (PNA). Synthesis of oligosaccharides (direct and in solid phase).
New organic synthetic strategies for bioconjugation:
1) use of Click Chemistry reactions for bioconjugation: Huisgen's 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, Staudinger Ligation, Inverse Electronic Demand Diels-Alder reaction;
2) native chemical ligation;
3) site-specific labeling techniques to deliver proteins to the site of interest;
4) bioorthogonal reactions and in vivo bioconjugation.
5) Antibody-drug conjugates and controlled release of drugs.
Principles of Supramolecular and macrocyclic chemistry. Synthesis of polydentate macrocyclic ligands. Synthesis of cryptands and calixarenes. Bifunctional chelating agents.
Receptors for charged and neutral guests. Self-assembly through non covalent interactions. Molecular machines: synthesis and applications.

Objective 1: Knowledge and understanding.
Knowledge of the principles of the synthesis of biomolecules such as peptides, oligonucleotides and oligosaccharides.
Knowledge of the modalities of supramolecular adduct formation and their properties.
Objective 2: Applying knowledge and understanding.
Ability to design the synthesis of probe for biomedical applications.
Ability to design a system for the drug controlled release.
Ability to apply the supramolecular chemistry concepts for various types of applications
Ability to carry out bibliographic and structural searches on organic molecules and reactions.
Objective 3: Making judgements.
Ability to evaluate from the structure of a compound which predictions can be made about its molecular properties.
Ability to interpret and rationalize bio-organic reactions in terms of reaction mechanism and to address the study of the subject through critical and non-mnemonic learning.
Objective 4: Communication skills.
Ability to prepare and give a presentation clear and functional on an advanced scientific paper or subject.
Ability to connect and compare different topics.
Ability to clearly organize and explain the answer by acquiring the appropriate terminology.
Objective 5: Learning skills
Ability to use teaching material for a critical and rational study.
Ability to update and expand knowledge of the discipline through the consultation of more advanced teaching texts and scientific publications on the subject.