School of Biology current student

Information for current students at the School of Biology

Biology Online Module Handbook

BL4216 Structure based Drug Discovery

(BL4216 online module handbook version 79)

cover image

image: N1 neuraminidase in complex with oseltamivir (from http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/explore/explore.do?structureId=2hu4)

The process of developing a new drug from conception to the clinic takes on average 15 years and costs over $800M. There are now many examples of drugs developed based on a knowledge of the three dimensional structure of the target, and all major pharmaceutical companies have structural biology as part of their core drug discovery programmes. Many drugs currently used to combat AIDS were developed from a detailed knowledge of key HIV proteins, as were the two drugs used for influenza. Most major pharmaceutical companies are targeting kinases in the search for new cancer therapies, with international efforts focusing on producing structural details of huge numbers of human kinases.This module will examine case studies of drugs that have been developed with the aid of structure-based methods.*

Credits: 15*

Semester: 1

Module Organiser
Dr Tracey Gloster
tmg@st-andrews.ac.uk
01334 467245
Pre-requisite Modules:
Before taking this module you must pass BL2306 or pass BL3301 or pass BL3324*
Anti-requisite Modules:
*
Post-requisite Modules:
*
Additional Module Information:


Biology Teaching Office:
Level 2, Biomolecular Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST

Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk      Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3602 or 3566

BL4216: Timetable

Legend (not all modules have every event type):
lecture
tutorial
workshop
practical
other

Semester 1: Week 1

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Tuesday
12-09-2023
10:00 to 11:00
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
MBS 103 Seminar Room 1
Dr Tracey Gloster
-
Lecture L1: Module overview
2023-4_BL4216_L1
Wednesday
13-09-2023
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
Dr Tracey Gloster
-
Lecture L2: Overview on drug discovery
2023-4_BL4216_L2
Thursday
14-09-2023
10:00 to 11:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
Dr Tracey Gloster
-
Lecture L3: Structure-based drug discovery
2023-4_BL4216_L3

Semester 1: Week 2

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Tuesday
19-09-2023
10:00 to 11:00
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
MBS 103 seminar room 1
Prof Garry Taylor
Dr Tracey Gloster
Lecture L4: Case study: HN from Paramyxoviruses
2023-4_BL4216_L4
Wednesday
20-09-2023
12:00 to 13:00
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
MBS 103 seminar room 1
Prof Garry Taylor
Dr Tracey Gloster
Lecture L5: Intellectual property
2023-4_BL4216_L5
Thursday
21-09-2023
09:00 to 10:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
NicolaMarchant
Dr Tracey Gloster
Lecture L6: Bioethics
2023-4_BL4216_L6
Thursday
21-09-2023
10:00 to 11:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
NicolaMarchant
Dr Tracey Gloster
Workshop W1: Bioethics debate
2023-4_BL4216_W1

Semester 1: Week 3

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Tuesday
26-09-2023
10:00 to 11:00
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
MBS 103 seminar room 1
Dr Tracey Gloster
-
Workshop W2: PyMOL/Docking
2023-4_BL4216_W2
Bring your laptop (and a mouse, if you have one) and download PyMOL
Thursday
28-09-2023
09:00 to 11:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
Dr Tracey Gloster
-
Tutorial T1: Q&A session
2023-4_BL4216_T1

Semester 1: Week 5

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Friday
13-10-2023
09:00 to 12:00
Medical and Biological Sciences Building
MBS 103 seminar room 1
Dr Tracey Gloster
Prof Garry Taylor
Other O1: Presentation 1- The disease
2023-4_BL4216_O1
Group presentation slides to be uploaded on MMS on Thursday week 5 at 5:00 pm

Semester 1: Week 8

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Monday
30-10-2023
14:00 to 17:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
Dr Tracey Gloster
Prof Garry Taylor
Other O2: Presentation 2 - Target and drug design strategy
2023-4_BL4216_O2
Group presentation slides to be uploaded on MMS on Monday week 8 at 10:00 am

Semester 1: Week 10

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Friday
17-11-2023
13:00 to 16:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
BMS seminar room
Dr Tracey Gloster
Prof Garry Taylor
Other O3: Presentation - 3 The complete pitch
2023-4_BL4216_O3
Group presentation slides to be uploaded on MMS on Wednesday week 10 at 5:00 pm

Semester 1: Week 11

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Tuesday
21-11-2023
09:00 to 11:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
MBS 122
Dr Tracey Gloster
-
Tutorial T2: Synoptic exam practice
2023-4_BL4216_T2
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL4216: Assessment

Written Exam = 40%, Practical Exam = 40%, Coursework = 20%*

The following related information applies to all Biology modules:

School of Biology Marking Criteria: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
Late submission of continuous assessment work:

All late submissions of coursework that do not require electronic submission should be made via the Biology Teaching Office, Level 2, BMS Building, North Haugh.
Exam details: See School of Biology UG Handbook JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  : All Biology exams will be conducted online for 2022-23.
Exam timetable: See Timetables - Exams - University of St Andrews (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
Expected attendance: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  for detailed attendance requirements.
Good Academic Practice & Avoiding Academic Misconduct: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)
University Student Handbook: University Student Handbook
School and University regulations in the School and University Undergraduate Handbook relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, good academic practice and Academic Alerts.: JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)
University Student Handbook
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

Who to ask

(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

Before contacting staff, students should check the content of the Biology Undergraduate Handbook, the module handbook and specific task instructions.

Questions about Contact
General teaching matters Biology Teaching Office ( bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk )
Rescheduled or cancelled events Check your University email
Lecture or practical content The lecturer who presented the material
Completing assessed practical assignments The lecturer who set the assignment
Completing assessments Module Organiser (Dr Tracey Gloster tmg@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Marking on continuous assessment The Demonstrator or Module Organiser (Dr Tracey Gloster tmg@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Marking on exams Module Organiser (Dr Tracey Gloster tmg@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Rearranging practical days
Module Organiser (Dr Tracey Gloster tmg@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Absence and/or extensions Module Organiser (Dr Tracey Gloster tmg@st-andrews.ac.uk)

and the Biology Teaching Office ( bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk )

Difficulties with academic progress which impact more than one module:

Year Coordinator

See School of Biology UG Handbook for list:
JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)

Overall performance, progress or future directions:

Advisor of Studies

Disability:

Disability Coordinator ( biodisabilities@st-andrews.ac.uk )

For advice and support on any issue e.g. academic, financial, international, personal or health matters, or if you are unsure of who to go to for help:

Advice & Support Centre

Address: 79 North Street, St Andrews

Email: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk

Web: https://www.standrews.ac.uk/ask-a-question/

Tel: 01334 462020

University assistance with urgent matters out of office hours:

Tel: 01334 476161

Web: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/advice/counselling/incrisis/

Biology Teaching Office:

We are happy to hear from you about teaching matters. The School of Biology Teaching Office is open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 17.00. School of Biology staff will respond to your emails during these hours. Our team will provide a response to you within three working days.

Biology Teaching Office (Level 2), University of St Andrews, Biomolecular Sciences Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST

Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk

Tel: 01334 46 3602 or 3566

BL4216: Contributing Staff

Dr Tracey Gloster
(Module Organiser)

Readertmg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Tracey Gloster
(Module Organiser)
Readertmg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Prof Garry TaylorProfessor of Molecular Biophysics (Emeritus)glt2@st-andrews.ac.uk
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL4216: Learning Outcomes

Students completing module BL4216 successfully should be able to:

  • Recognise and describe the steps involved in developing a new drug and getting the new drug to the market
  • Appreciate the importance of Intellectual Property (IP) and issues such as protecting inventions through patents
  • Assess drug design strategies
  • Identify a disease in need of drug development
  • Select a drug design strategy for an identified disease and develop a marketing strategy for this novel drug
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL4216: Acquired Skills

Practical Skills

  • Database interogation
  • Molecular viewer software

Transferable Skills

  • Group discussion - participating
  • Long group presentation on project idea (>15 min)
  • Group pamphlet aimed at general audience
  • Handout (for presentation or poster)
  • Science journalism piece aimed at general audience
  • Finding information on the web
  • Finding literature
  • Searching databases
  • Sourcing figures/tables
  • Peer assessment
  • Organising group work
  • Working in pairs/small groups
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

Policies

(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

  • The procedures and regulations followed by the School of Biology are outlined in the University Handbook and in the School of Biology UG handbook  JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
  • All coursework associated with the module must be completed and submitted by its due date.
  • Specific School regulations relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, Good Academic Practice and Academic Alert are stated in the School of Biology UG hand book JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  and students are required to carefully read these regulations.
  • Students are also referred to the University Handbook, available at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/