Medicinal Chemistry is the study of chemical and biochemical rationales
for the design and development of drugs. It draws from a spectrum of sciences,
including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, organic
chemistry, and pharmacology. The 1980s fostered a new type of medicinal
chemistry through the application of modern techniques from structural chemistry,
biotechnology, and molecular biology. Approaches to drug design and development
have changed dramatically; the empirical approach has been replaced by a
more rational target-oriented approach that utilizes physical techniques
such as molecular modeling, high field NMR, and the use of molecular targets
(such as enzymes and receptors) available through recombinant DNA techniques.
At The University of Texas at Austin, we have elected to concentrate in
two main areas that interface medicinal chemistry: (1) molecular biology/biotechnology;
and (2) structural chemistry. Present faculty associated with our graduate
program are actively involved in research programs that include the following:
drug-nucleic acid interactions, biotechnology, microbial transformations,
microbial enzymology, neurotransmitter enzymology and metabolism, and synthetic
medicinal chemistry. The broad background of our graduate students helps
them meet the challenges of research careers in academia, industry, and
government.
For More Information:
Christian P. Whitman, Ph.D.
Medicinal Chemistry Division
College of Pharmacy - PHR 4.220C
University of Texas
Austin, Texas 78712
whitman@mail.utexas.edu
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