Module: Biopharmaceutical Chemistry

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Biopharmaceutical Chemistry
Module Code	BE333 (ITS) / BTE1042 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Cahill
Module Teachers	Alexander Eustace, Denise Harold, Konstantinos Gkrintzalis, Linda Holland
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

The module addresses the important physiochemical properties of various bioactive molecules (both drugs and biologics) and how these molecules impact on physiological systems in vivo The curriculum covers the basic principles of pharmacology and biopharma and examines the mode of action of certain drug and biologics with a particular emphasis on the principles of pharmacokinetics and dynamics – including routes of administration, distribution absorption and excretion. The various pharmacological and biopharma interventions prescribed for various disease including cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and infection (microbial and viral) is covered in detail addition to new emerging targeted therapies

Learning Outcomes

1. The physiochemical properties of various bioactive molecules (both drugs and biologics)
2. The basic principles of pharmacology and biopharma - including mode of action of certain drug and biologics, principles of pharmacokinetics and dynamics
3. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for cancer - anti-neoplastic drugs
4. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for the treatment of cardiovascular disease - anti-hypertensives, lipid lowering drugs
5. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for treatment of inflammation - anti-inflammatory drugs
6. Pharmacological and biopharma interventions for treatment of infection- anti-microbial drugs, anti-virals and anti-fungal drugs
7. Emerging targeted therapies for treatment of various disease - gene therapy, cell therapy, siRNA's

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lectures on line - 24 hrs
Assessment Feedback	6	Tutorials - 6hrs
Independent Study	95	Independent study
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Biological Chemistry
Important Hydrophilic properties of biological molecules - Important Hydrophobic properties of

Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Factors affecting the dosage of drugs - Routes of administration of drugs - Metabolism of drugs/molecules

Bio-pharmaceutical Chemistry
Introduction to the basic principles of Biopharmacology - Examples of Biopharma Protein and Nucleic Acid drugd

Introduction to Pharmacogenetics
Basic principles of Pharmacogenetics with an emphasis on genetic variation in Cytochrome P450 system

Cancer Therapeutics
Important pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical drug classes that interact with the major systems of the human body to treat cancer

Cardiovascular Therapeutics
Important drugs and biologics prescribed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Inflammation Therapeutics
Important drugs and biologics prescribed for the treatment of inflammation (acute and chronic) - immunomodulatory drugs

Anti-infective Therapeutics
Important drugs and biologics prescribed for the treatment of infection, bacteria, viral and fungal infections

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	50%	Examination Weight	50%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	50%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Kourosh Saeb-Parsy: 1999, Instant Pharmacology, John Wiley & Sons, 9780471976394
David S. Ettinger,Ross Donehower: 2008, Current Cancer Therapeutics, Current Medicine Group, 9781573402859
2012: Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Springer, 952, 317306
2001: Essentials of Antimicrobial Pharmacology, Springer Science & Business Media, 142,

Other Resources

65557, Book, Walsh, Gary, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 2003, Biopharmaceuticals: Biochemistry and biotechnology, 2nd edition, Wiley and Sons, New York, https://pharmareview.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/biopharmaceuticals-biochemistry-and-biotechnology-walsh-wiley-2e-2003.pdf, 65558, Website, Richard E. Klabunde, Ph.D., 1999, Cardiovascular Pharmacology Concepts, https://www.cvpharmacology.com,