Biosynthesis of Natural Products
Code
10701
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Química
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Ana Maria Ferreira da Costa Lourenço
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
62
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The objectives of the discipline include the presentation of the major biosynthetic study methods, as well as the most important metabolic pathways used by the cell in the production of metabolites, specially secondary metabolites. Such knowledge will provide the student with the capacity to rationalize the formation of natural products, the prediction of the structure of novel compounds and their expected metabolism.
Prerequisites
Credits in courses of Organic Chemistry.
Subject matter
1. Use of natural products. Drugs of natural origin. Present impact.
2. Primary and secondary metabolism. Enzymatic reactions of the secondary metabolism and their analogy with organic reactions. Classification of natural products according to their biosynthetic origin. Biosynthetic methods.
3. Derivatives from the acetate unit. Beta-ketonic chains. Fatty acids, oils, fats and polyketides. Acetylenes. Prostaglandins and analogues. Cyclization of polyketonic chains. Aromatic polyacetates. Tetracyclines.
4. The isoprenic unit. Isoprenoids. Monoterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenes. Steroids. Tetraterpenes. Carotenoids.
5. Shikimic acid derivatives. Aromatic aminoacids. Cinnamic acids, phenylpropenes. Lignans and lignins. Coumarins. Flavonoids and stilbenes.
6. Alkaloids derived from ornithine, lysine, phenyl-alanine, tyrosine, tryptophan and antranylic acid. Alkaloids derived from purine: caffeine. Steroidal alkaloids.
Bibliography
1. A. M. Lobo & A. M. Lourenço (Ed.), “Biossíntese de Produtos Naturais", IST Press, Lisboa, 2007.
2. J. Mann "Secondary metabolism", Claredon press, Oxford, 1987.
3. P. M. Dewick “Medicinal Natural Products – A Biosynthetic Approach”, Wiley, Chichester, 2009.
4. A. M. Lourenço,"Problemas em Biossintese de Produtos Naturais", Edinova, Lisboa, 1998.
Teaching method
Classes involve normal teaching that uses blackboard and power-point presentations. In tests and examinations, students are allowed to use their own notebooks, suggested bibliography for the discipline.
Throughout the teaching of theoretical classes are developed series of problems that are solved individually by the students. The resolution presented in class by students at random.
Evaluation method
A. Assessment Components and Evaluation Elements
The UC has the Assessment Components 1 and 2 and its paragraphs refer the evaluation elements for each component.
1. Experimental work (30%)
a) Preparation and performance in carrying out practical work (60%).
b) Report and discussion (40%).
2. Theoretical and problems (70%)
a) Delivery of the resolution of all series of problems in due time and individual presentation of problem solving in the lecture.
b) Two written tests of the theoretical part (70%).
B. Approval to UC
1. Approval UC implies that in each of the evaluation components, 1. Experimental work and 2. Theoretical, the student has a classification ≥ 9.5 points.
2. The classification 1. Experimental work along with the delivery of problem sets in due time, and the presentation of solving in the lecture gives the frequency of UC.
3. The theoretical classification is calculated as the arithmetic average of the two tests or the classification of the Recurso exam. The Recurso exam can also be used to improve the theoretical classification.
4. Students who have frequency from previous years will just have to make the theoretical part. The previous classification is used in the calculation weighted towards the final grade as described above.