Medicinal and Biological Chemistry BSc

Within this module, we explain the importance of metals in catalysis, with applications in industrial and biological processes. You will explore the roles that metal centres play in controlling the structure and function of supramolecular systems and metal-organic frameworks.

Completing this module will allow you to accurately explain structural and functional properties of hard and soft materials, and analyse their applications in various scientific and technological contexts, including catalysis. You will also be able to evaluate the reactivity or stability of transition metal complexes by determination of their electronic arrangements.

In this module, you will explore fundamental concepts in medicinal chemistry – the use of molecules to influence biological systems. You will examine a variety of therapeutic agents, including antibiotics, antivirals and anticancer drugs, and consider how factors such as metabolism and bioavailability affect their effectiveness.

You will also study the mechanisms of action of biopharmaceuticals, such as antibody-drug conjugates and vaccines. In addition, you will be introduced to the chemistry behind biomedical imaging. With Nottingham as the birthplace of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), you will learn how chemistry is used to enhance the images produced by this groundbreaking technique.

Through this module, you will gain a deeper understanding of how small molecules interact with cells and enzymes in the treatment, monitoring and diagnosis of disease.

Develop essential transferable research skills while enhancing proficiency in synthetic and analytical techniques. Emphasising safety, precision, and critical evaluation, you will continue to develop skills to identify and reduce hazards, plan and conduct experiments collaboratively, and maintain accurate records to ensure reproducibility and reliability.

The module also involves conducting comprehensive literature reviews to inform experimental design and contextualise findings. Additionally, it fosters teamwork and communication skills, with a strong focus on producing high-quality laboratory reports and effectively presenting scientific findings in various formats.

Reflective practice is embedded throughout the module, encouraging you to critically assess your own learning, laboratory techniques, and decision-making processes. This approach supports continuous improvement and prepares you for independent research and professional practice in chemistry.

This module explores modern strategies for designing small organic molecules that target specific biological sites to treat diseases. Throughout the module you will develop an understanding of the important terminologies of drug discovery, and the different stages taken when conducting the drug discovery process.

You will learn how chemical structure influences drug-like properties, including potency, selectivity, and the ability to reach the site of action. Topics include drug-target interactions, lead optimisation, physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity.

You will also have the opportunity to review case studies of successful and failed drugs to illustrate key medicinal chemistry principles. You will understand and evaluate biological data to inform small molecule design, and use medicinal chemistry insights to justify decision making.

In this module, you will focus on characterising proteins and enzymes to understand their roles in biochemical processes and real-world applications. You will explore physical and chemical methods for analysing protein structure and behaviour, drawing on techniques from both analytical chemistry and bioinformatics.

You will also learn how to interpret structural data and compare it across expanding datasets to uncover functional insights, gaining a deeper understanding of how proteins contribute to complex biological systems.

In this module, you will explore the structure and function of enzymes, focusing on how they can be harnessed and engineered for catalysis and the production of valuable compounds. You will learn to understand enzyme-catalysed reactions from a chemical perspective and appreciate the role of enzymes as biocatalysts in synthesis.

Building on your knowledge of protein structure and reaction mechanisms, you will be introduced to bioengineering tools that demonstrate how simple organisms can be modified to create new and useful products.

In this module, you will explore a wide range of topics related to contemporary and alternative medicines. You will examine legal issues associated with the manufacture and sale of herbal medicines; study commonly used herbal remedies and understand the mechanisms behind herb-drug interactions.

You will investigate traditional medicines, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Medicine and African Medicine, alongside nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The module also covers the role of pharmacists in identifying adverse effects of herbal medicines and educating patients about herb-drug interactions.

Additionally, you will explore other complementary and alternative therapies including acupuncture, reflexology, chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, aromatherapy and hypnosis. You will learn how to apply meta-analysis and critical appraisal techniques and engage in discussions on the placebo effect, including its evidence and underlying mechanisms.

This optional module will introduce a range of diagnostic technologies and discuss their current and future roles in Pharmacy.

Medical diagnostics can be defined as the study of the procedures that provide information to aid the screening, detection, diagnosis and monitoring of a human disease, whether symptomatic or not. This module will focus on diagnostic technologies used both in the hospital (MRI, radiology, ultrasound, lab tests) and in the community (glucose, cholesterol and pregnancy testing). It will also encourage forward thinking as to how technological advances may impact upon the changing role of the pharmacist, for example, genetic testing, miniaturization nanotechnology, companion diagnostics and personalised medicine.

This module explores cutting-edge technological developments in molecular biology and their transformative impact on biomedical research. You will examine how advanced molecular techniques are employed to investigate and solve complex scientific problems, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications. Key focus areas include the practical implementation of these methods, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the resulting data. Through case studies and current examples, this module highlights how modern diagnostic and research tools are driving innovation in the biomedical sciences.