Fundamentals of Medicinal Chemistry

Provides a concise introduction to the chemistry of therapeutically active compounds, written in a readable and accessible style.

The title begins by reviewing the structures and nomenclature of the more common classes of naturally occurring compounds found in biological organisms. An overview of medicinal chemistry is followed by chapters covering the discovery and design of drugs, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism. The book concludes with a chapter on organic synthesis, followed by a brief look at drug development from the research stage through to marketing the final product.

The text assumes little in the way of prior biological knowledge. relevant biology is included through biological topics, examples and the Appendices.

• Incorporates summary sections, examples, applications and problems
• Each chapter contains an additional summary section and solutions to the questions are provided at the end of the text
• Invaluable for undergraduates studying within the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences.

Medizinische Chemiker beschäftigen sich mit der Erforschung therapeutisch aktiver Verbindungen. Eine Einführung in dieses Gebiet, das mittlerweile auch vielfach im Grundstudium behandelt wird, bietet Ihnen dieser handliche Band. Neben Grundlagen werden viele Anwendungsbeispiele behandelt; Übungsaufgaben (teils mit Lösungen) erleichtern das Umsetzen des Stoffes in die Praxis. Preface.

Acknowledgements.

Abbreviations/Acronyms.

1. Biological Molecules.

2. An Introduction to Drugs and Their Action.

3. An Introduction to Drug Discovery.

4. The SAR and QSAR Approaches to Drug Design.

5. Computer Aided Drug Design.

6. Combinatorial Chemistry.

7. Selected Examples of Drug Action at some Common Target Areas.

8. Pharmacokinetics.

9. Drug Metabolism.

10. An Introduction to Lead and Analogue Syntheses.

11. Drug Development and Production.

Appendix 1. Sickle-cell Anaemia.

Appendix 2. Bacteria.

Appendix 3. Cell Membranes.

Appendix 4. Receptors.

Appendix 5. Transfer through Membranes.

Appendix 6. Regression Analysis.

Appendix 7. Enzymes.

Answers to Questions.

Selected Further Reading.

Index.

"... it would be of great value to beginning graduate students in medicinal chemistry... it should be included in any practicing chemist's personal library." (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, July 29, 2004)

"Thomas presents the fundamentals of medicinal chemistry in a clear, concise, and descriptive fashion." (Choice, June 2004, Vol. 41 No. 10)

"... provides a concise introduction to the chemistry of therapeutically active compounds, written in a readable and accessible style..." (www.organische-chemie.ch, 19/01/2004)

"... well laid out, with an attractive typeface." (Chemistry and Industry, 6th September 2004)

Gareth Thomas is a lecturer at the University of Portsmouth. Fundamentals of Medicinal Chemistry is a concise introduction to the chemistry of therapeutically active compounds, written in a readable and accessible style. Starting with a review of the structures and nomenclature of the more common classes of naturally occurring compounds found in biological organisms, the text then covers the discovery and design of drugs, pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism. The book concludes with a chapter on organic synthesis, followed by a brief look at drug development from the research stage through to marketing of the final product.

The text assumes little in the way of prior biological knowledge and only a basic chemical knowledge. Relevant biology is included through biological topics, examples and in the Appendices.

• A concise introduction to the essentials of medicinal chemistry
• Assumes little prior knowledge of biology.
• Incorporates summary sections, examples, applications and problems, along with their solutions.
• Invaluable for undergraduates studying within the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences.