C8903 - ELEMENTI DI CHIMICA E ANALISI FARMACEUTICHE

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental concepts of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis. They will gain a basic understanding of the reactivity, mechanisms of action, and analytical characterization of biologically active molecules. In particular, students will be able to understand the chemical basis of biological activity and the mechanisms of action of compounds of pharmaceutical interest. Furthermore, they will acquire knowledge of the analytical characteristics of bioactive substances of plant origin and environmental contaminants, as well as the fundamental analytical techniques used for their investigation, developing practical laboratory skills and the ability to apply them critically.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules, one of which includes individual laboratory practical sessions.

Module 1 – Prof. Alessandra Bisi

Lectures

Molecular basis of bioactive molecules. Definition and identification of molecular targets. Differences between biologics and small-molecule drugs. General mechanisms of action of small molecules through modulation of target activity via chemical interactions. Concepts of agonists and antagonists. Importance of chemical structure, functional groups, and isomerism in biological activity: structure–activity relationships (SAR). Representative examples.

Drug discovery. Introduction to the drug discovery process, from molecule to medicine. Target identification, hit discovery and hit-to-lead optimisation strategies. How small structural modifications can influence biological activity. Representative examples.

Natural products and drug discovery. Natural products as sources of lead compounds for drug development. Definitions of active principle and phytocomplex. Strategies for the structural modification and optimisation of natural products.

Circular economy and bioactive compounds. Opportunities offered by food waste as a sustainable source of raw materials and biologically active molecules.

Principles of green chemistry.

Module 2 – Prof. Elisa Uliassi

Lectures

Classical analytical methods. Qualitative identification methods based on physicochemical properties. Gravimetric and volumetric analyses.

Sample preparation and preliminary analytical procedures. Weighing techniques; solid–liquid extraction methods (maceration, infusion and decoction); liquid–liquid extraction; and distillation techniques (simple distillation and steam distillation).

Instrumental analytical methods. UV–Visible spectrophotometry: absorption of electromagnetic radiation, Beer–Lambert law, instrumentation, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and selection of the appropriate wavelength for absorbance measurements.

Laboratory practical sessions

Laboratory materials and instrumentation for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and toxicological interest.

Sampling and sample preparation. Fundamental principles, critical aspects of sampling solid and liquid materials, weighing techniques, and the use of analytical balances.

Preparation of solutions. Solubilisation, mixing, preparation of buffer solutions, and pH determination. Sources of analytical error and data processing for analytical calculations.

Sample pretreatment. Principles and applications of analytical techniques for separating analytes from complex matrices, including filtration, solid–liquid (S/L) extraction, and liquid–liquid (L/L) extraction.

UV–Visible spectroscopy. Applications to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and toxicological interest.

Submission of the laboratory notebook is mandatory in order to be eligible to sit the final examination.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials for both the lectures and the laboratory practical sessions are available to students on the dedicated University of Bologna course website (Virtuale).

For further reading, the following textbook is recommended:

V. Cavrini, V. Andrisano, Principi di Analisi Farmaceutica. Società Editrice Esculapio, Bologna.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures and laboratory practical sessions, both of which are compulsory. It is divided into two teaching modules, one of which includes individual laboratory practical sessions covering the topics addressed in the course syllabus.

The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the chemical basis of biological activity and the mechanisms of action of compounds of pharmaceutical interest. It also provides knowledge of the analytical characteristics of bioactive substances of plant origin and environmental contaminants, with particular emphasis on the principal analytical techniques. In addition, the course develops practical laboratory skills and fosters the ability to apply them critically and responsibly.

Given the nature of the teaching activities and methods employed, all students (including incoming international students, e.g. Erasmus students) are required to complete Modules 1 and 2 of the University's online Health and Safety training programme before attending the laboratory sessions: [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio]. Students must also attend Module 3, which provides discipline-specific training on health and safety in study environments. Information on the schedule and attendance arrangements for Module 3 is available in the relevant section of the Degree Programme website ("Studying" → "Health and Safety Mandatory Training").

The attendance requirement is considered fulfilled upon attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory practical sessions and 60% of the lectures. Attendance is recorded through the University's student attendance application.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination comprising specific questions on the topics covered during the course. Although the laboratory practical sessions and the laboratory notebook are not graded separately, they contribute to the overall assessment and final mark.

The examination will normally be held in person. Exceptions may be made in the event of public health emergencies, flooding or other officially recognised emergency situations affecting the student's place of residence, or where a student has documented vulnerabilities or disabilities, subject to assessment by the University's Disability and Specific Learning Difficulties (DSA) Service. Such cases will be considered individually and, where the eligibility requirements are met, the examination may be conducted online via Microsoft Teams.

Students with specific learning difficulties (SLD/DSA) or temporary or permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University's Disability and Specific Learning Difficulties Service well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The Service will propose any appropriate assessment adjustments, which must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days before the examination. The instructor will evaluate their suitability in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by standard audiovisual teaching facilities (computer and multimedia projector). Lecture slides will be made available to students via the University of Bologna's online learning platform.

Laboratory practical sessions will take place in dedicated teaching laboratories, with each student assigned to an individual workstation equipped with the required instrumentation, laboratory glassware, and consumables.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Bisi

See the website of Elisa Uliassi