Making biologically active molecules come to life
The Design and Synthesis in Drug Discovery (DSDD) specialisation within the Drug Discovery Sciences Master’s programme focuses on the design and synthesis of biologically active molecules.
This specialisation offers two complementary exciting chemistry-based paths:
- Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry: this path focuses on the use of organic chemistry in a broader interdisciplinary drug and chemical biology setting. Students gain expertise in the organic chemistry of drug-like compounds, biocatalysis, radiolabelled molecules, and advanced synthetic methodologies. Students also receive extensive hands-on training with cutting-edge technologies for synthesis planning, compound synthesis, purification, and structural characterisation, preparing them for roles in chemical research in academic, company or institute settings alike. This path in the DSDD specialisation is ideal for students passionate about organic chemistry and its critical role in drug discovery, diagnostics, and life sciences.
Click here for a personal video made by Specialisation Coordinator Maikel Wijtmans, in which he shares his
passion for synthetic medicinal chemistry and gives you an inside look into the VU synthesis laboratories.
- Computer-Aided Drug Design: this path focuses on leveraging molecular modelling and computational (bio)chemistry techniques to understand the biomolecular basis of drug action. Students will explore state-of-the-art methodologies, such as pharmacophore modelling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations, to rationally design next-generation drug compounds and predict their interactions. This path in the DSDD specialisation is ideal for students eager to apply cutting-edge computational techniques to improve drug discovery, enhance drug efficacy, and prevent unwanted side effects, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration in drug design and development.
Click here for a video on the exciting aspects of computer-aided drug design, with an inside look into the
VU modeling laboratories.
Curriculum
The study programme of this specialisation consists of compulsory courses (12 ECTS), constrained elective courses (at least 12 ECTS), additional elective modules, and a major research project (48 ECTS), conducted in either an academic, company or institute setting.
The compulsory courses within the DSDD specialisation cover:
- Physical Organic Chemistry: focusing on the physical-chemistry concepts that are essential for both understanding and exercising organic synthesis as well as for understanding drug-ligand interaction.
- Computational Design and Synthesis of Drugs: focusing on the use of molecular modelling and retrosynthetic analysis to discover molecular hits for drug research.
The compulsory courses are complemented by the selection of at least two out of six constrained electives that are chosen depending on the path taken within this specialisation. The constrained elective courses include:
- Synthetic Approaches in Medicinal Chemistry: covering the toolbox of synthetic-organic reactions that drug researchers have at their disposal to prepare biologically interesting organic molecules.
- Computer-Aided Drug Design and Virtual Screening: exploring key concepts in protein homology modelling, chemoinformatics, and structure-based virtual screening, with a focus on ligand discovery, molecular docking, and integrating in silico methods with experimental studies.
- Spectroscopic Approaches in Medicinal Chemistry: exploring various techniques key in safeguarding the identity and purity of synthesised molecules, with an emphasis on advanced 2D NMR spectroscopy.
- Data Analysis in Drug Discovery: learning how to efficiently retrieve, manage, and analyse research data from drug discovery using databases and open-source tools, with a focus on automating data tasks, applying advanced analysis techniques (including AI) and developing robust data management plans.
- Biocatalysis for a Sustainable Future: exploring the use of enzymes to facilitate smart and sustainable organic synthesis, as inspired by the biocatalytic mechanisms in nature.
- Advanced Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry: learning how to chemically synthesise and use molecules that incorporate short-lived isotopes for use in clinical diagnostics.
Depending on the interest of the student, courses addressing both paths can be selected as electives to become more interdisciplinary trained within the design and synthesis of drugs.
In addition to the compulsory courses and constrained electives, students may choose from further electives, such as additional courses, a literature thesis, or a minor research project, enabling them to broaden their profile and strengthen their interdisciplinary training.
If you have any questions about the curriculum, please visit the Online Master’s Event on 27 November or contact the specialisation coordinator.
Ideal candidates
The DSDD specialisation is designed for students with a background in organic and physical chemistry and with a keen interest in understanding and exploring the role of chemistry in drug research, chemical biology, and diagnosis. The following background per path in this specialisation is expected:
- Synthetic Medicinal Chemistry path: the candidate has a background in organic synthesis and/or synthetic medicinal chemistry, as evidenced by theoretical courses, practical courses and research internship(s).
- Computer-Aided Drug Design path: the candidate has a background in molecular modelling and/or physical chemistry, as evidenced by theoretical courses, practical courses and research internship(s).
Learn more about admission requirements.
