Organic Chemistry Applied to Biology

Program- First Module (Seneci): The role of synthetic organic chemistry in the drug discovery process (3 ECTS)

Chemical genetics: how synthetic chemistry and compound collections can be used to support the identification of valuable molecular targets against complex diseases. Examples
Chemical probes: how "tagged" compounds can be used either to identify their molecular targets (affinity chromatography, PAL linkers), or to visualize their in vitro/in vivo compartimentalization (molecular imaging).
Rational design and structural optimization of biologically active compounds - Computational chemistry. Molecular modelling, molecular descriptors, similarity and dissimilarity.
Structure-based drug design. Computational models of a target, drug-like compound collections, molecular docking. Examples.
Ligand-based drug design. Chemical and topological pharmacophores, ligand training sets. Examples.

Program- Second Module (Potenza): Application of NMR spectroscopy to the study of biomolecules (3 ECTS)

- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy:
- One-dimensional 1H-NMR experiments: chemical shift and coupling constants
- One-dimensional 13C-NMR experiments and DEPT sequence
- Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy: preparation, evolution and mixing, data acquisition and graphical representation. Homonuclear (H,H) correlated NMR spectroscopy: COSY,
- The nuclear Overhauser effect: theoretical background, NOESY.
- Study of the molecular interactions by NMR-STD technique and TR-NOESY




Reference Material: Electronic copies of slides. Bibliography.


Prerequisites and examination procedures: Good knowledge of basic organic chemistry, and of analytical and synthetic techniques. Written exam consisting in a set of open questions aimed to assess the ability of the student to handle the various topics covered by the course. Answers must be provided in English. Allowed time is usually 2 hours. At his/her request, a student may ask for an exam in oral form.


Teaching Methods: Teaching format: traditional. Interactive frontal classes supported by video projection.


Language of instruction: English.


Recommended Prerequisites: Knowledge of oral and written English in order to attend the lectures and to carry out the essays. Good knowledge of basic organic chemistry, and of analytical and synthetic techniques.


Program information: Slides and other supporting material including exam samples will be available through the Ariel web platform (in preparation).


WEB pages: in preparation.