Major Research Project Medicinal Chemistry

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/XM_0039

Course Objective

To obtain experience in doing scientific research within the fields of molecular pharmacology/receptor biochemistry, computational drug design or organic synthesis in one of the following settings:
- University or Academic hospital
- Research institute
- Company The internship can be performed either within the Netherlands or abroad.

Course Content

In medicinal chemistry research, molecular pharmacology, biochemistry, computational chemistry and organic synthesis are important for designing and preparing small organic ligands as e.g. protein modulators as well as to interrogate (receptor) proteins and/or signaling networks in relation to health and disease. During the traineeship, the student actively participates in a research project as exerted by the host group/institute and consists of one of the following sub-disciplines: 1) Molecular pharmacology 2) Receptor biochemistry 3) Organic synthesis 4) (computational) Drug design Attention will be paid to setting up new research/experiments, using state-of-the-art experimental techniques, analyzing experimental results and keeping adequate documentation. In all, the student will get exposed to doing research as well as to contemporary molecular pharmacological, receptor biochemistry, synthetic or computational design techniques. Contact potential VU supervisors from the group medicinal chemistry for more information on internal internship opportunities (see Canvas community "Master Drug Discovery Sciences"

Teaching Methods

Literature review, formulating a research question, conducting experiments, keeping adequate documentation (e.g. labjournal), analyzing data, reporting on results in progress/group meetings, in a written thesis and final presentation within the research group.

Method of Assessment

Academic attitude, execution, oral presentation, and written thesis

Literature

Starting literature will be provided by the supervisor. The first 1-2weeks of the traineeship will be spent on literature reading andpreparation for the project.

Target Audience

Research variant of mDDS-Molecular Pharmacology, mDDS-Synthesis of Drugs, mDDS-Computer-Aided Drug Design

Custom Course Registration

The number of internal (VU) internship positions is limited. Candidates are selected based on their motivation letter and CV in an application procedure. See the canvas site “Master Drug Discovery Sciences” for more information regarding this application procedure. Be aware that for most external positions an application procedure applies as well. Before the start of the project an internship agreement has to be signed by all involved parties and the project proposal has to be approved by the VU supervisor via the online internship management system. See the “Master Drug Discovery Sciences Internship manual” for more information on the rules and regulation regarding internships. If after reading the manual you still have questions regarding the process related to internships, admission, approval, etc., please contact the internship coordinator via [email protected].

Additional Information

The standard length of a major internship is 42 EC (7 months). Extension up to 60 EC (10 months) can be incorporated as part of the optional part of the master program. Make sure you discuss your personal education plan with your master coordinator well in advance. See the “Master Drug Discovery Sciences Internship manual” for more information (rules, regulations, tips, etc.) on the internship process. This manual can be found on the canvas community “Master Drug Discovery Sciences”.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements with respect to attained courses and number of credits apply. See the Education and Examination regulations and the internship manual Drug Discovery Sciences. For questions, consult the internship coordinator well in advance ([email protected]).