drug discovery

[omoso]

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hello

if one wants to occupy with drug discovery, which Bsc should he get?

biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, chemistry, other?

thanks

 

[nothingman]

Potentially any of those majors, but if you choose biology, you should make sure to take classes in biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, pharmacology, thermodynamics, etc. (which may be outside of your major) to get exposure to key concepts in drug design. The more quantitatively "grounded" you are in e.g. binding isotherms, etc. the easier this stuff is in grad school.

Good luck!

 

[QofQuimica]

Potentially any of those majors, but if you choose biology, you should make sure to take classes in biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, pharmacology, thermodynamics, etc. (which may be outside of your major) to get exposure to key concepts in drug design. The more quantitatively "grounded" you are in e.g. binding isotherms, etc. the easier this stuff is in grad school.

Agree.

OP, I was in a pharmaceutical design program for grad school, and it was interdisciplinary among organic chem, biochem, molecular bio, and pharm, so you're exactly on the right track. I'd suggest taking classes in all of them, and then major in whichever you like best. I went the organic chem route, but any of the others would be equally good.

 

[ryno]

There are many disciplines that participate in drug discovery. I think chemistry - namely organic chemistry - is the usual route to working as a medicinal chemist in pharma. These chemists take information from many collaborators and ultimately synthesize, and often test, new compounds.
But, I hear that the tides in pharmaceutical discovery and development are shifting towards the biologics of drug discovery. It could be that the synthesis of small molecules as drugs will be replaced by the development of proteins and other biological compounds.
Taking Milton Brown as an example (a successful drug discoverer - I hope I can mention names here), he did a BSc in Biology, PhD OChem, and then an MD.

 

[Choculitis]

I feel like just about any science can be applied in some way to drug discovery. Obviously, chemistry is the best choice for drug synthesis. Biochem would be good for things like RNA interference and protein based drugs. Biology/physiology would be good for analyzing pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics. Physics would be useful for light/radiation therapy.

 

[ryno]

Since this is in the MD/PhD forum, I'm wondering if an MD is required for drug discovery?

Would you pursue an MD for knowledge of medicine, and not practice?

 

[QofQuimica]

Since this is in the MD/PhD forum, I'm wondering if an MD is required for drug discovery?

Would you pursue an MD for knowledge of medicine, and not practice?

No and no.