Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Functional Definition of Drug Targets
Module Code	BE520
School	School of Biotechnology
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Ciaran Fagan Semester 2: Ciaran Fagan Autumn: Ciaran Fagan
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module aims to provide the following: - basic understanding of cellular “target” identification and structural elucidation approaches. - a basic understanding of rational design of drugs to interact with specific cellular target proteins. - an understanding of the importance of molecular 3D structure in the drug design processIt will allow students to study specific therapeutic interventions on a case study basis.It will show how naturally-occurring bioactive materials can be used: (i) to probe cellular processes; and (ii) as therapeutic interventions for abnormal activities. It will also show how protein engineering can yield “improved” therapeutics

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain protein strcutural biochemistry and understand "structure-function" analysis
2. Implement target structural elucidation and rationale drug design
3. Describe drug interactions with cellular targets
4. Discriminate physiological targets for specific therapeutic intervention
5. Apply protein engineering for elucidating structure-function relationships and for refining therapeutic effectiveness.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	20	No Description
Independent learning	105	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

module content.
Introduction to Pharmacology/BioPharma (including Protein & Nucleic acid drugs). Introduction to Protein Structural Biochemistry (structure-function analysis. Drug-Protein Interactions. Case Studies: Drug-Target Molecular Interactions (case studies for established vasotherapeutics etc.). Case studies: Protein Engineering of Enhanced Insulin & Erythropoietin (EPO) Therapeutics: Structure-Function Relationships.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	100%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	n/a	25%	n/a
In Class Test	n/a	75%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List