Synthetic Methods in Biotechnology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with elements to understand and evaluate several modern chemical technologies applied to biotechnological and pharmaceutical processes, meanwhile providing also the basic theoretical notions to understand the nature and the impact of such technologies.
Expected learning outcomes
The students will take advantage of this course, by gathering a general perspective regarding the role of synthetic organic chemistry in biotechnological and pharmaceutical research. Among the five selected applications dealt with in the course (protective groups, solid-phase synthesis, combichem & natural products, rational design in drug discovery and phases of pharma research), the student will get information about modern trends for each application, and will become knowledgeable about their scope, their advantages and their limitations.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide the student with elements to understand and evaluate several modern chemical technologies applied to biotechnological and pharmaceutical processes, meanwhile providing also the basic theoretical notions to understand the nature and the impact of such technologies.
The students will take advantage of this course, by gathering a general perspective regarding the role of synthetic organic chemistry in biotechnological and pharmaceutical research. Among the five selected applications dealt with in the course (protective groups in organic synthesis, solid-phase synthesis, combichem & natural products, rational design in drug discovery, and phases of pharma research), the student will get information about modern trends for each topic, and will become knowledgeable about their scope, their advantages and their limitations.
The program is divided into five modules, all dealing with advanced synthetic methodologies useful in biotechnology. A first model deals with protective groups in organic synthesis, and is preparing the student to the second module - solid-phase synthesis. The third module deals with the identification, isolation, dereplication and structural determination of natural products from prokaryots, lower and higher eukaryots; the use of natural products in pharmaceutical research, and their usefulness as core scaffolds for the synthesis of natural products-inspired combinatorial libraries is also covered. The fourth module deals with methodologies and principles for the rational design of biologically active molecules, while the last module covers the research process used in drug discovery - target identification and validation, lead discovery and lead optimization.
A large number of examples are used in each module, so to provide a self-explanatory tool to judge the relevance of the topics covered in the SMB course.
The students will take advantage of this course, by gathering a general perspective regarding the role of synthetic organic chemistry in biotechnological and pharmaceutical research. Among the five selected applications dealt with in the course (protective groups in organic synthesis, solid-phase synthesis, combichem & natural products, rational design in drug discovery, and phases of pharma research), the student will get information about modern trends for each topic, and will become knowledgeable about their scope, their advantages and their limitations.
The program is divided into five modules, all dealing with advanced synthetic methodologies useful in biotechnology. A first model deals with protective groups in organic synthesis, and is preparing the student to the second module - solid-phase synthesis. The third module deals with the identification, isolation, dereplication and structural determination of natural products from prokaryots, lower and higher eukaryots; the use of natural products in pharmaceutical research, and their usefulness as core scaffolds for the synthesis of natural products-inspired combinatorial libraries is also covered. The fourth module deals with methodologies and principles for the rational design of biologically active molecules, while the last module covers the research process used in drug discovery - target identification and validation, lead discovery and lead optimization.
A large number of examples are used in each module, so to provide a self-explanatory tool to judge the relevance of the topics covered in the SMB course.
Prerequisites for admission
Organic Chemistry I and II successfully passed
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, bibliographic searches, support material - pdf files and, when needed, mp4 recordings for each lesson on the Ariel Web site, seminars' preparation and delivery in groups (teamwork), critical evaluation of student colleagues.
Teaching Resources
The material presented during the course (21 ppt presentations, saved as pdf files - all shown slides from frontal lessons) is made available to students on the course's ARIEL site. This material will be enough to properly prepare the exam; additional material is also provided for student on the ARIEL site/course page.
In addition, as earlier mentioned, an mp4 recording for eah of the 21 lessons is also available and - if and when needed - may be provided (after delivering the lesson in presence) on the ARIEL page of SMB.
In addition, as earlier mentioned, an mp4 recording for eah of the 21 lessons is also available and - if and when needed - may be provided (after delivering the lesson in presence) on the ARIEL page of SMB.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final grade will result from two contributions. A final, two hours' written assay (which could be split in two one our each midterm essays around half (1st) and end of the course (2nd) will consist of 3-4 open questions, and will count - either by averaging the results of midterm assays, or as a single full exam - for the majority of final grade.
In addition, the students will be asked to create a few small groups (4-6 members, depending on the total number of students), which will have to select from literature one (or more than one) paper dealing with one, or more than one topics of the SMB course. This will be the foundation of a PowerPoint presentation, to be assembled and delivered to the Professor and the other students by each group; the presentation will be evaluated globally (choice of subject/example, completeness and quality of slides) and individually (the contribuion/speech of any group member). Such evaluation will provide each student with an increent of the grade deserved in the written exam, ranging between 1 and 3 points and depending on their performance as a group and as individuals.
In addition, the students will be asked to create a few small groups (4-6 members, depending on the total number of students), which will have to select from literature one (or more than one) paper dealing with one, or more than one topics of the SMB course. This will be the foundation of a PowerPoint presentation, to be assembled and delivered to the Professor and the other students by each group; the presentation will be evaluated globally (choice of subject/example, completeness and quality of slides) and individually (the contribuion/speech of any group member). Such evaluation will provide each student with an increent of the grade deserved in the written exam, ranging between 1 and 3 points and depending on their performance as a group and as individuals.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)