Objectives and contents: To discuss the possibilities for finding new lead compounds for drug development, particularly focusing on natural products and biodiversity. A general introduction to the total process of drug development will be given. Secondary metabolism will be discussed briefly. The sources available for screening will be described, as well as the considerations to choose a certain source. Various approaches for screening will be shown in general terms with their advantages and disadvantages. The role of ethnopharmacology as possible approach to leadfinding will be discussed. The biodiversity treaty will be dealt with and how governments can organize the exploration of their national biodiversity.
Coordinator
Prof.dr.R.Verpoorte: verpoort@chem.leidenuniv.nl
Methods of instruction
Structure: In five days about lectures (ca. 10 hrs) will be given. The students are provided with some 100 publications related to the topics of the lectures. It is up to the groups to make their conclusions out of this excess of information. Every day some questions will be formulated, which should help them in evaluating these publications. These papers will be discussed in groups of 3-4 students. The groups will briefly report their findings as the basis for further discussion. The groups will also be given two case studies to work out. One case concerns setting up a bioprospecting company that means choosing an area and a strategy to find new leads. The other is to develop a governmental programme to deal with the exploration and exploitation of biodiversity. Both needs to be presented in a written report. Moreover they have to negotiate one time as a company with a government and one time the reversed about getting access to biodiversity for exploration.
Examination
Oral presentations and written report from small groups of student
Course requirements/recommendations
This course is open for master students in biology, bio-pharmacy, chemistry, LST and biotechnology.
Application
application form available from www.studiegidsen.leidenuniv.nl > Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen > Biologie > Forms > Mastercourses