Targeted Therapeutics & Theranostics

Module Title: Functional and structural definition of drug targets
Module Code: BE 520
School: School of Biotechnology
Module Coordinators: Dr. Philip Cummins
Level: 5
Credit Rating: 7.5
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Module Aims:

• To provide a basic understanding of cellular "target" identification and structural elucidation approaches
• To provide a basic understanding of rational design of drugs to interact with specific cellular target proteins
• To understand the importance of molecular 3D structure in the drug design process
• To study specific therapeutic interventions on a case study basis
• To show how naturally-occurring bioactive materials can be used: (i) to probe cellular processes; and (ii) as therapeutic interventions for abnormal activities
• To show how protein engineering can yield "improved" therapeutics

Learning Outcomes:

• An overview of biopharmacology/pharmacology
• An overview of protein structural biochemistry and "structure-function" analysis
• A basic understanding of cellular target function within a biological context
• An introduction to target structural elucidation and rational drug design
• An overview of drug interactions with cellular targets (e.g. receptors, ion channels)
• A case study overview of relevant physiological targets for specific therapeutic interventions (e.g. specific neurotherapeutics and vasotherapeutics)
• An understanding of the scope of protein engineering for elucidating structure-function relationships and refining therapeutic effectiveness

Indicative Time Allowances:
Lectures: 0
Tutorials: 90
Seminars:
Independent Learning Time: 60
TOTAL: 150

Note: Assume that a 7.5 credit module load represents approximately 112.5 hours’ work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialized training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

• 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 neurotherapeutics, vasotherapeutics etc.)
• Case studies: Protein Engineering of Enhanced Insulin & Erythropoietin (EPO) Therapeutics: Structure-Function Relationships

Assessment: 100% continuous assessment
Only include components relevant to this module

Indicative Reading List:

• Wingard et al.: Human Pharmacology - Molecular to Clinical. (Mosby International, 1998)
• Walsh: Protein Biochemistry and Biotechnology. (Wiley 2002)
• Walsh: Biopharmaceuticals, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Wiley 2003)
• Buxbaum: Fundamentals of Protein Structure and Function. (Springer, 2007)
• Madsen: Textbook of Drug Design and Discovery (Taylor-Francis, 2002)