The post genomics era has brought a basic change in traditional drug discovery. This programme reflects the rapid changes in this subject in the last few years.
Students will investigate the approaches and methods of modern drug design and discovery, particularly how to manage the diversity and wealth of the emerging knowledge in this area.
The programme is taught by research scientists, clinicians and features a series of "cutting edge" lectures by industry experts.
Who is the Drug Design course designed for?
This degree programme is suitable for life science graduates in biological sciences, chemical sciences and pharmacy. Students will obtain a broad understanding of the drug design process. The degree programme will provide a good background for students looking to establish a career in drug design/discovery and related industries, and for industry professionals seeking to gain a greater understanding of new methodology. The knowledge and transferable skills delivered will also be useful for those intending further PhD or medical studies. This degree programme requires a full study commitment.
Understanding of all aspects of drug design concepts: genomics , bioinformatics, drug target selection, structural biology, molecular modeling, intellectual property and marketing.
The development of essential skills: Research approaches, methods, and techniques of modern drug design.
Understanding of the industrial practices of modern drug design technologies.
Providing an introduction to growth areas in drug design research, such as siRNA, stem cells, high throughput screening and scientific workflows.
The syllabus may change every year, partly reflected by the Industrial trends.
Research project gives students the opportunity to engage in original research and to aid their development as independent researchers.
Teaching involves a mixture of lectures, tutorial and practical sessions in a dedicated teaching room. Standard industrial and renowned academic softwares/databases will be used in tutorial and practical sessions.
MSc, Diploma, and Certificate (flexible 2-5 years) are available.
How long is the study and what is the final degree?
Research project: This will be computer-based. They involve applying molecular modelling, cheminformatics, or bioinformatics on drug design/discovery projects. Wet lab projects can be also conducted at UCL, London.
A Windows PC with good internel connection is recommended for distance learning from home.
Moodle - a web-based virtual learning environment, will be used as a teaching and learning platform.
An optional 1 week Summer workshop in London for intensive software/program training at student's own expense.
All our software run on Windows only.
Modular (Flexible) students can spread their studies over a period of up to five years. Your 'Fees Due' will show as £0 initially but you should still pre-enrol and then enrol. After enrolment, Modular students select their modules for the year. Once selected, a fee will be calculated for the academic year based on the number of credits assigned to the modules chosen - in any academic year you will only pay for the number of credits chosen in that year. Please note that all courses are subject to annual inflationary increases.
MEDC0075 Bioinformatics and Structural Biology.
MEDC0076 Target Identification, Pharmacology and High Throughput Screening.
MEDC0077 Cheminformatics and Computer Drug Design.
MEDC0078 Biological molecules as therapeutics - Antibodies, siRNA, and Stem Cells.
MEDC0079 Biophysical screening methods, X-ray crystallography, protein NMR and phenotypic screening.
MEDC0080 Fragment based drug design.
MEDC0081 Target selection - Cancer, Aging, and new Targets.
MEDC0082 Intellectual property, Law, Economics, and Marketing.
Expert groups in UCL - e.g. Cancer Institute, Royal Free Hospital, MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Medicine, etc.
External Companies and Institutes - e.g GSK, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cresset, etc.
Projects cover every aspect of drug design and discovery from computational modelling to X-ray crystallography and protein NMR, from chemical synthesis to cutting edge biology of cancer or other diseases. See examples under the tab "Projects".
There are eight modules carrying 15 credits. Each module will consist of a written exam (50%) and coursework (50%).
Assessment will be by unseen written examinations and coursework.
A research project will be assessed by written dissertation, an oral presentation, and a video project.
Projects cover every aspect of drug design and discovery from computational modelling to X-ray crystallography and protein NMR, from chemical synthesis to cutting edge biology of cancer or other diseases. See examples here.
Dr Chan has over 17 years pharmaceutical and biotech experiences in the area of molecular modeling, cheminformatics, structure/ligand-based drug design, and bio-computing.
She worked in big phama and biotech: Sanofi Aventis and Inpharmatica, which involved all spectrum of drug discovery program. While working in Sanofi Aventis, she helped design ICE inhibitors, one of which has achieved Phase II status. She joined UCL in 2009 and her research is focused on computational drug design.
Professor Selwood is a medicinal chemist with 12 years experience in big pharma at the Wellcome Foundation latterly Glaxo-Wellcome. Whilst at Wellcome Prof Selwood worked on the successful anti-migraine drug zolimitriptan (over $1 billion dollars in sales) and also invented GW4991W94 a compound which completed phase 2 clinical trials.
Prof Selwood moved to UCL in December 1995 to become head of the chemistry group at the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research. He founded several spin out companies: ProAxon Ltd, NCE discovery (now Domainex) and Canbex Therapeutics, a spin-out company focussed on MS Therapies.
Dr Okorokov's research interest is in cell, molecular and structural biology of the protein machineries and signalling pathways controlling and maintaining the integrity of our chromosomes.
A minimum of second-class (2.2) Honours degree in a relevant discipline (for example, life sciences, medicine, chemistry, biomedicine) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or an appropriate professional qualification or work experience.
IELTS - Standard level: Overall grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the subtests.
TOEFL - Standard level: Overall score of 92 with 24/30 in reading and writing and 20/30 in speaking and listening.
Maximum number of students accepted onto the programme is 20 per annum.
For those students working to organize scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants), early application for admission is strongly encouraged (preferably by May 1st for the following academic year).