Pharmacology and Drug Development: From Discovery to Market
Drug Discovery
Target Profile – Intended therapeutic site of action and clinical outcome
Lead Identification – Identified candidate compounds with potential drug activity commensurate with profile from a library of actives (hits)
Lead Optimization – Identification / modification of lead compounds for best action / least side effects, etc.
Combinatorial Chemistry – Generation of active compounds (hits) from a library of building blocks
Structure-Activity Relationship – Determination of the relationship
Read MoreHuman Genome and Bioethics: Implications and Risks
The Human Genome: Our Book of Instructions
The human genome is the set of all genes in our species, distributed across 23 pairs of chromosomes in our cells. Their study is the field of genomics. Beginning in 1990, the Human Genome Project was designed to locate and study the function of genes. The human genome contains approximately 35,000 genes. Almost 25% of the genome is deserted, and genes are not regularly scattered across chromosomes. Only 5% of human DNA contains genes, the carriers of instructions
Read MoreToxicology: Antidotes, Elimination, and Chemical Analysis
Antidote Treatments
The objective is to neutralize toxins absorbed into the blood and tissues.
Types of Antidotes
- Chemical Antidotes: These convert a toxic substance into a non-toxic compound. For example, glucose + CnH = Heptose, and sodium thiosulphate + metal = sulfur compounds.
- Chelating Agents: These compounds combine with metals and metalloids, forming water-soluble, nonionic chelates that are usually less toxic or non-toxic. Examples include BAL for As, Hg, Cr, Au; and Cobalt EDTA for Cyanides.
Oncogenes, Tumor Suppressor Genes, and DNA Repair: Cancer Development
Oncogenes, Tumor Suppressor Genes, and DNA Repair Genes
Oncogenes
Oncogenes are altered (mutated) versions of normal genes that can promote malignant transformation. Normal genes, when not mutated, are called proto-oncogenes and usually promote growth. They can be growth factors, growth factor receptors, plasma kinases, or transcription factors. Oncogenes are a group of damaged genes involved in cancer development. Their presence, overactivity, or both, can stimulate cancer development. When oncogenes
Read MoreRecombinant DNA Technology: Methods and Applications
Restriction Enzymes
Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a crucial role in recombinant DNA technology. This process involves coding sequences and regulatory elements. Restriction endonucleases, bacterial enzymes capable of cutting DNA, are fundamental. They recognize specific palindromic sequences, producing either blunt or cohesive ends. DNA fragments are then separated by gel electrophoresis, using agarose or polyacrylamide gels.
Plasmids and DNA Ligases
Plasmids, bacterial or viral genomes, and artificially
Read MoreDNA Recombination, Biotechnology, and Genetic Engineering
DNA Recombination
DNA recombination is a process that allows the combination of DNA fragments from different origins. This can be done in a laboratory using cellular machinery and enzymes. DNA can be cut into fragments using enzymes called restriction endonucleases. The resulting fragments have cohesive or sticky edges complementary to other DNA cut with the same enzyme, so you can join different fragments of recombinant DNA origin. In this way, it is possible to introduce DNA into the genome of
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