Key facts

Overview

Traditionally, a mainstay of drug discovery and development of new pharmaceuticals has involved random screening of compounds using large chemical libraries. In recent years, the techniques for more rational drug design using structural information have become more sophisticated and are now a well-integrated part of the drug discovery process. In particular, targeted structural genomics - the determination of high resolution protein structures covering entire protein families - has huge potential for guiding medicinal chemistry to more selective and potent inhibitors.

The Structural Genomics course is a one-week module of the MSc in Experimental Therapeutics. Offered by the Section of Clinical Pharmacology and the Department for Continuing Education’s CPD Centre, the week will be led by Professor Stefan Knapp, and will feature face-to-face lectures and tutorials from some of Oxford's leading clinicians and scientists.

The module can be taken as a stand-alone short course. It includes group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers.

Please send me an email about future Structural Genomics and Drug Discovery courses.

Description

The availability of accurate molecular structures is a prerequisite for rational structure-based drug design. This course will describe methodologies that are currently used for obtaining structural information of proteins as well as applications that will guide inhibitor design. Students will be introduced to the selection of protein targets for structure based design approaches based on their structural properties, techniques that are used to solve protein structures, structure-based drug design, including the use of virtual ligand screening and docking. In addition, aspects of medicinal chemistry will be discussed.

The course will cover the following topics:

• Protein production and engineering, including protein expression in bacteria and eukaryotes, protein purification techniques
• Basics of x-ray crystallography in protein-structure determination
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for solving protein structures
• Identification of drug targets for structure based design (druggability) - using cancer as an example
• Computer modelling for drug design - in silico protein modelling, small-molecule screening for lead generation and optimization, protein-ligand docking
• Elements of medicinal chemistry
• Toxicology packages to support drug development.

Programme details

This course can be taken:

• as a 5 day short course (for credit or not for credit)
• as part of the MSc in Experimental Therapeutics

Venue

This course will be held at the Department for Continuing Education, Rewley House, Oxford.

Staff

Professor Stefan Knapp

Role: Tutor

Professor Stefan Knapp is leading the Phosphorylation Dependent Signalling group within the SGC. Research activities are focused at the...more production, purification, functional characterization and structure determination of human kinases and phosphatases of medical relevance.

close

Course aims

The overall aims of this course are to introduce students to protein production and engineering, the basics of x-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. With this knowledge, students will be able to evaluate the potential of drug targets based on their ligand-binding pockets and evaluate the quality of protein models and their feasibility for structure based design. Further, by providing students with an understanding of computer modelling for drug design, it is anticipated that students will be able to incorporate elements of medicinal chemistry in support of drug design and development.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on submission of a set written assignment, not exceeding 5,000 words.

Academic credit

Those wishing to may apply to take the course with accreditation. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for the course. Participants attending at least 75% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 15 CATS-equivalent points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

All short course students will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the week.

Level and demands

This course is aimed at qualified doctors, especially specialist registrars in clinical pharmacology or in training for other medical sub-specialities; clinical research fellows in other specialities; pharmacists; nurses; graduates working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

Teaching methods

The course will be taught by a range of scientists leading these areas of research, and there will be significant time programmed to discuss the scientific and sometimes ethical issues raised by this area of medical research. It will include group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers.

A virtual learning environment (VLE) and access to some of the University of Oxford’s online resources will provide support for those taking the course for credit.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms are rated 3-star, and come with free high-speed internet access and TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

Payment

The course fee includes tuition, course materials, refreshments and a three course lunch on each day of the course.

Please see the MSc in Experimental Therapeutics page for more information regarding module fees when taking this course as a part of the MSc Programme.

Scholarships

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Fee options

Programme Fee

For students enrolled on the MSc in Experimental Therapeutics: £1150.00

Short course: £1650.00

Apply for this course

Programmes including this module

This module can be studied as part of these programmes:

• MSc in Experimental Therapeutics
• Short courses in health sciences