Identify the family of the chemical compound starting from the structural motifs present in the structure. Evaluate the type of secondary metabolite when possible.
Course Prerequisites
basic knowledge of organic chemistry.
Teaching Methods
Lectures with projection of the teaching material in the classroom (the material will be provided to the students at the beginning of the course). At the end of each topic, a discussion will take place between the teacher and the students to evaluate the degree of learning during the course.
Assessment Methods
Each student will prepare a presentation concerning a metabolite of interest: for example Taxol, will present the sources from the plant material and will discuss its biosynthesis. This will be followed by a series of general questions on the course topics discussed in the classroom.
Texts
Paul M. Dewick, "Medicinal Natural Products: A Biosynthetic Approach", 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-0-470-74168-9.
Contents
Explanation of secondary metabolism starting from the basic pathways present in plants from the point of view of the chemistry/biochemistry involved in the process. 1) Introduction to the basic reactions of the metabolic pathways covered: the "biosynthetic building blocks". 2) Acetate pathway: aromatic compounds and macrolide systems. 3) Shikimate pathway: "the pathway of plants" aromatic compounds and essential amino acids. 4) Terpenes pathway: from basic C5 units to complex systems. These compounds will be presented: taxol, plant triterpenes (cycloartenol), terpene and steroid saponins and more. 5) Major alkaloids in plants: biosynthesis and properties.
Course Language
English
More information
It is recommended to have a good knowledge of the basic concepts of chemistry, in order to appreciate the ways that the plant world puts in place to synthesize complex compounds.
