Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

BSc in Chemistry or related subject

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To equip students with a knowledge of natural products obtained from a range of sources including plants and marine organisms with the emphasis on the medicinal properties of substances; to describe extraction techniques and how these influence the chemical composition of the extract; to define compound classes of active constituents; to delineate the biosynthesis of selected compound classes; to show how selected compounds can be synthesised including a description of some industrial syntheses; to equip students with a basic understanding of how bioactive natural products are believed to work; to place natural products in the wider context of bioactive compounds.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is a beacon for decolonising the curriculum as many natural products were/are discovered in non-European/USA locations (e.g. Africa, India), which enables the important contribution of local knowledge and expertise to be highlighted. Furthermore, one of the most seminal contributions in the field of medicinal natural products was made by the African-American Percy L Julian, which was introduced for the first time in the 2020-2021 session and was the foundation of one of the module assessment questions.

Lectures

1-2 Introduction - Classes of natural products; isolation of natural products. Role of local knowledge
highlighted (e.g. disease treatment with certain Caribbean plants).
3-4 Isolation, structure determination by scientists in Jamaica of the toxin responsible for Jamaican vomiting
sickness' covered and synthesis of selected natural products. Laval's work discussed in detail at this
point.
5-6 The alkaloids morphine, quinine and cocaine
7 Colchicine, galanthamine
8 Marine natural products
9-10 Aromatic natural products; fatty acid biosynthesis; polyketides;
11-12 Shikimic acid; terpenes
13-14 Steroids, prostaglandins and thromboxanes
+ plus 6 workshops (Laval's synthesis of the drug physostigmine is the basis of one workshop)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

• familiarity with a range of natural products and their medical uses
• an understanding of different types of plant extract
• an appreciation of how the extraction technique influences chemical composition
• ability to recognise key compound classes on the basis of molecular structure
• an understanding of the biosynthesis of key compound classes
• an appreciation of the mode of action of selected natural products
• a knowledge of how synthesis contributes to making medically useful natural products and their analogues
available for clinical use

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject specific or professional skills, able to:
• identify the compound class of a previously unseen structure
• predict the type of compound class/chemical functionality likely to be present in an extract
• propose extraction protocols to access particular compound classes
• draw chemical structures of bioactive natural products

Cognitive or intellectual skills, able to:
• solve unseen problems in aspects of bioactive natural products

Key skills, able to:
• retrieve information from various sources
• collate and present information in written format
• recognition that study of natural products is a world-wide activity, with numerous contributions from Africa,
S America, the Caribbean etc.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures convey the key concepts and factual data and introduce problem solving skills. Seminars allow application of the concepts introduced in the lectures.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formal exam allows the understanding of the concepts; application/problem solving based on the concepts to be assessed.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: