Molecular methods in drug discovery & development

This is a lecture given to undergraduate students. It explains how molecular biology is exploited during drug discovery and development. Molecular methods have enabled the genetic causes or drivers of disease and novel drug targets to be identified. They have led to the recognition of orphan receptors, whose gene and protein structure are known but their function and receptor ligands remain unknown. They are studied with reverse pharmacology, in which the gene is expressed in a cell line and molecules screened for activity at the orphan receptor. Molecular techniques can also be used to create assays, using reporter genes and transgenic animals, which are a key technology for validating drug targets. Biopharmaceuticals are outlined as an important new source of drugs, created using transgenic organisms.
1:16 Intended learning outcomes
1:50 Genes and disease
3:12 Genetic association studies
4:44 Linking genes to disease
7:01 Gene array analysis
10:12 Modern screening methods
11:15 Orphan receptors
12:35 Reverse pharmacology
14:00 Reporter genes in compound screening
14:45 Reporter gene assay
17:05 Transgenic animal models
18:14 Transgenic methods
20:56 Biopharmaceutical drugs

[@mcdoap]

Very nice vid!!