Structural Chemistry
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
This course is intended to provide the student with a theoretical, analytical and applied background in the fields of rational drug design and of target-oriented chemical optimization of bioactive compounds. In particular, modern chemical-physics methods for the investigation of the molecular target-ligand interaction will be discussed in the context of the expanded role of chemistry through the process of the design and optimization of pharmacologically active molecules; and modern, chemistry-directed approaches to assist the identification of novel molecular targets (chemical tools and probes, chemical genetics) will be described.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with structural biology, bioinformatics, nanotechnologies, protein engineering and molecular enzymology.
The course is ideally linked to those dealing with structural biology, bioinformatics, nanotechnologies, protein engineering and molecular enzymology.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of this class, the students are expected to:
(1) have refreshed basic concepts in thermodynamics;
(2) have learnt the physics behind non-covalent interactions, and how to model them;
(3) have acquired the basics of molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics, with emphasis on how to use this knowledge to model complex structures and time-dependent phenomena (structure fluctuations, allostery and molecular docking);
(4) have acquired basic concepts in crystallography, to profitably read the related scientific literature;
(5) have understood how computational methods (structure-based, ligand-based and fragment-based drug discovery) support the fast, effective design and optimization of biologically active, small organic molecules; and
(6) have learnt about chemical probes for mechanism of action studies in vitro and in vivo (photoaffinity ligands, biotin conjugates, etc.); and about their use in target validation studies (affinity chromatography, photoactivation, etc.).
(1) have refreshed basic concepts in thermodynamics;
(2) have learnt the physics behind non-covalent interactions, and how to model them;
(3) have acquired the basics of molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics, with emphasis on how to use this knowledge to model complex structures and time-dependent phenomena (structure fluctuations, allostery and molecular docking);
(4) have acquired basic concepts in crystallography, to profitably read the related scientific literature;
(5) have understood how computational methods (structure-based, ligand-based and fragment-based drug discovery) support the fast, effective design and optimization of biologically active, small organic molecules; and
(6) have learnt about chemical probes for mechanism of action studies in vitro and in vivo (photoaffinity ligands, biotin conjugates, etc.); and about their use in target validation studies (affinity chromatography, photoactivation, etc.).
Lesson period: First semester (In case of multiple editions, please check the period, as it may vary)
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The first part of the course is focused on Chemical Physics Methods for Investigating Molecular Structure (Riccardo Conte)
- Refresh of basic thermodynamic concepts;
- Theory of non-covalent interactions: short-range repulsions, van der Waals and electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, stacking and hydrophobic interactions.
- Molecular mechanics: Force field, modelling of bonding and non-bonding interactions, structure optimization.
- Molecular dynamics. Understanding the rationale beyond molecular dynamics. Ingredients of molecular dynamics (boundary conditions, integrators, structural model, Force Field). Set up of reliable molecular dynamics simulations: problems of solvation, cut-offs, electrostatic interactions and the use of computational barostats and thermostats. Link between molecular dynamics and thermodynamics. Ergodicity.
- Applications. Non-equilibrium (transient) phenomena and related molecular dynamics descriptors. Application of classical simulation methods: structure fluctuations, structure prediction, allostery and molecular docking.
- Introduction to X-ray diffraction. Electromagnetic waves, X-ray scattering, Bragg law, diffraction pattern, hints on cryo-crystallography.
The second part of the course is focused on Rational design of biologically active molecules (Pierfausto Seneci)
- Refresh of protein structure and properties.
- Ligand-protein interactions: enzymes - competitive and non-competitive, allosteric inhibitors; receptors - agonists and antagonists.
- Virtual and tangible drug design: protein / target and small molecule models "in silico"
- Energy minimization, preferred conformations, molecular descriptors.
- Structure-based drug discovery (SBDD): reliable protein models (X-ray, NMR), docking, putative binders' prioritization.
- Ligand-based drug discovery (LBDD): reliable sets of known ligands, pharmacophore generation and validation, similarity searching.
- Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD): features and advantages of small fragments in drug discovery; X-ray-driven, fast fragment decoration / structural optimization.
- Examples of rational drug design (HSP90 inhibitors - SBDD and LBDD; kinase inhibitors - FBDD).
- Chemical genetics: phenotype screening, chemistry-assisted identification and validation of novel molecular targets in drug discovery.
- Target identification and validation: chemical probes for in vitro experiments (affinity chromatography, SILAC, SPROX, DARTS, etc.).
- Photoaffinity multi-functional probes (azides, diazirines) as covalent markers for proteomics-driven target identification.
- Examples of chemical genetics (zebrafish development screening, uretupamine discovery).
- Examples of chemistry-driven target identification and validation successful studies (bromodomain inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents, kinesin Eg5 inhibition against cancers).
- Refresh of basic thermodynamic concepts;
- Theory of non-covalent interactions: short-range repulsions, van der Waals and electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, stacking and hydrophobic interactions.
- Molecular mechanics: Force field, modelling of bonding and non-bonding interactions, structure optimization.
- Molecular dynamics. Understanding the rationale beyond molecular dynamics. Ingredients of molecular dynamics (boundary conditions, integrators, structural model, Force Field). Set up of reliable molecular dynamics simulations: problems of solvation, cut-offs, electrostatic interactions and the use of computational barostats and thermostats. Link between molecular dynamics and thermodynamics. Ergodicity.
- Applications. Non-equilibrium (transient) phenomena and related molecular dynamics descriptors. Application of classical simulation methods: structure fluctuations, structure prediction, allostery and molecular docking.
- Introduction to X-ray diffraction. Electromagnetic waves, X-ray scattering, Bragg law, diffraction pattern, hints on cryo-crystallography.
The second part of the course is focused on Rational design of biologically active molecules (Pierfausto Seneci)
- Refresh of protein structure and properties.
- Ligand-protein interactions: enzymes - competitive and non-competitive, allosteric inhibitors; receptors - agonists and antagonists.
- Virtual and tangible drug design: protein / target and small molecule models "in silico"
- Energy minimization, preferred conformations, molecular descriptors.
- Structure-based drug discovery (SBDD): reliable protein models (X-ray, NMR), docking, putative binders' prioritization.
- Ligand-based drug discovery (LBDD): reliable sets of known ligands, pharmacophore generation and validation, similarity searching.
- Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD): features and advantages of small fragments in drug discovery; X-ray-driven, fast fragment decoration / structural optimization.
- Examples of rational drug design (HSP90 inhibitors - SBDD and LBDD; kinase inhibitors - FBDD).
- Chemical genetics: phenotype screening, chemistry-assisted identification and validation of novel molecular targets in drug discovery.
- Target identification and validation: chemical probes for in vitro experiments (affinity chromatography, SILAC, SPROX, DARTS, etc.).
- Photoaffinity multi-functional probes (azides, diazirines) as covalent markers for proteomics-driven target identification.
- Examples of chemical genetics (zebrafish development screening, uretupamine discovery).
- Examples of chemistry-driven target identification and validation successful studies (bromodomain inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents, kinesin Eg5 inhibition against cancers).
Prerequisites for admission
A revision of the topics covered by the basic chemistry and physics classes included in the bachelor curriculum before attending the course is recommended. No further prerequisites are required other than those specified in the learning manifesto.
Teaching methods
Teaching Mode: Classroom lectures supported by projected material. The attendance is highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
A. R. Leach. Molecular Modelling. Principles and Applications. Addison Wesley Longman, Essex, England, 1996
· C. Giacovazzo et al., Fundamentals of crystallography, Oxford University Press, 1992
· P. Seneci. Chemical Sciences in Early Drug Discovery: Medicinal Chemistry 2.0. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2018.
Copies of the slides projected in the classroom as well as other materials will be made available through the course website on the ARIEL platform of the University of Milano (https://lloprestirdscbm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). By no means this material replaces the lectures or a textbook. The material is made available only to registered students of the Degree Course in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and should not be distributed to others.
· C. Giacovazzo et al., Fundamentals of crystallography, Oxford University Press, 1992
· P. Seneci. Chemical Sciences in Early Drug Discovery: Medicinal Chemistry 2.0. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2018.
Copies of the slides projected in the classroom as well as other materials will be made available through the course website on the ARIEL platform of the University of Milano (https://lloprestirdscbm.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). By no means this material replaces the lectures or a textbook. The material is made available only to registered students of the Degree Course in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and should not be distributed to others.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists in a written test (2 hrs long). Students will be prompted to answer to both open questions and questions with a multiple answer choice, in both cases on any topic treated during both the modules. The written exam allows the teachers to evaluate not only the technical competence of the student, but also his/her ability to organize a short dissertation on scientific topics. The final grade will be the joint evaluation of each candidate by the two instructors.
Examples of typical exam questions are available on the Ariel2 website of the course (see below). The instructors are available for arranged meetings, to answer the students' questions at any time before the examination.
Partial evaluations can be arranged in the first semester. These are entirely optional and will consist of two written tests of 2 hrs each, one for each part of the course.
The marks earned by students will be promptly determined, and will be communicated to the students through the ARIEL Webpage of the course.
Examples of typical exam questions are available on the Ariel2 website of the course (see below). The instructors are available for arranged meetings, to answer the students' questions at any time before the examination.
Partial evaluations can be arranged in the first semester. These are entirely optional and will consist of two written tests of 2 hrs each, one for each part of the course.
The marks earned by students will be promptly determined, and will be communicated to the students through the ARIEL Webpage of the course.
CHIM/06 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 0
ING-IND/34 - INDUSTRIAL BIOENGINEERING - University credits: 0
ING-IND/34 - INDUSTRIAL BIOENGINEERING - University credits: 0
Lectures: 48 hours
Professors:
Conte Riccardo, Seneci Pierfausto
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00-11:30 or agreed via email.
Department of Chemistry, Ground Floor, Sector B, Room R11S