Medicinal Chemistry Online Course | Drug Discovery & Design | IISER Pune
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 641 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Chemistry |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Science Behind Life-Saving Drugs: A Guide to Our Medicinal Chemistry Course
Have you ever wondered how a new medicine is born? The journey from a molecular concept to a pill in a pharmacy is a fascinating saga of chemistry, biology, and innovation. Medicinal Chemistry sits at the very heart of this process, blending organic synthesis with an understanding of biological systems to design and create effective therapeutic agents. If you're a chemistry student aspiring to contribute to this vital field, a new online course offers a perfect gateway.
We are excited to present a detailed 12-week course on Medicinal Chemistry, instructed by Prof. Harinath Chakrapani from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune. This course is meticulously designed to equip undergraduate and postgraduate students with the foundational and advanced concepts driving modern drug discovery.
About the Instructor: Prof. Harinath Chakrapani
Learning from an expert with both deep academic knowledge and real-world research experience is invaluable. Prof. Chakrapani brings exactly that to the virtual classroom.
- Academic Credentials: He completed his undergraduate studies at Loyola College and his post-graduate studies at IIT Madras, before earning his Ph.D. from Duke University, USA.
- Research Expertise: Following post-doctoral research at Wake Forest University and the National Cancer Institute, USA, he joined IISER Pune in 2009, where he is currently an Associate Professor. His lab focuses on organic chemistry and chemical biology, developing novel tools to study oxidative stress and antibiotic resistance.
- Teaching Pedigree: With over eight years of teaching experience at IISER Pune, Prof. Chakrapani is adept at translating complex chemical concepts into engaging and comprehensible lessons.
Who Should Enroll in This Medicinal Chemistry Course?
This course is crafted for students with a foundational background in chemistry who are curious about the practical application of their knowledge in creating therapeutics.
- Intended Audience: Third-year B.Sc. Chemistry undergraduates, M.Sc. Chemistry students, and doctoral researchers.
- Prerequisites: A basic understanding of organic chemistry and some familiarity with biochemistry is recommended. Most importantly, a keen interest in the science of drug discovery is essential!
- Industry Recognition: The curriculum is highly relevant, and companies in the pharmaceutical sector are likely to recognize and value the knowledge gained from this course.
What You Will Learn: A 12-Week Journey into Drug Discovery
The course layout is a comprehensive roadmap through the entire drug development pipeline. Here’s a weekly breakdown of the key modules:
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | Foundations: Overview of drugs & targets, intermolecular forces, enzyme catalysis & inhibition, receptor biology (Ion channel, Kinase-linked, GPCRs), and drug-receptor interactions. |
| Weeks 5-6 | Targets & Synthesis: Nucleic acids as drug targets, DNA-interactive agents (chemotherapy), and modern synthetic methods like combinatorial & solid-phase synthesis. |
| Weeks 7-8 | Lead Discovery & Optimization: Bioassays, lead modification strategies (pharmacophore, bioisosteres), and critical analyses like Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) and Quantitative SAR (QSAR). |
| Week 9 | Drug Metabolism & Pharmacology: Phase I/II metabolism, ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion), bioavailability, and clinical development stages. |
| Week 10 | Prodrugs & Delivery: Designing prodrugs for improved stability, solubility, and controlled release; overview of drug delivery systems. |
| Weeks 11-12 | Overcoming Challenges: Mechanisms of drug resistance, strategies to circumvent resistance, and the principle of drug synergism. |
Essential Reading Materials
To complement the video lectures, the course references key textbooks that are considered standards in the field:
- An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry by Graham L. Patrick (Second Edition).
- The Organic Chemistry of Drug Design and Drug Action by Richard B. Silverman (Second Edition).
- Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry by Cox and Nelson (Fifth Edition – as a reference).
Why This Course is a Must for Aspiring Scientists
This course goes beyond textbook definitions. It provides a holistic view of medicinal chemistry as an interdisciplinary science. You will not only learn about molecular structures but also understand how and why they interact with biological targets, how their properties are optimized, and what challenges arise in their journey to becoming a usable drug. For anyone considering a career in pharmaceutical R&D, agrochemicals, or even academic research in chemical biology, this course offers an exceptional foundation.
Ready to delve into the molecular world of medicine? This 12-week journey with an expert from IISER Pune is your first step towards mastering the art and science of Medicinal Chemistry.
Enroll Now →