• University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Medicinal Chemistry

What role does chemistry play in healthcare and our ability to diagnose and treat patients?

25,913 enrolled on this course

Discovering Science: Medicinal Chemistry

25,913 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 5 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover how chemotherapy has evolved, and some of the breakthroughs and developments chemists have made in the fight against cancer over the last 10 years.

Diagnostic imaging examines how scientists learn about, and treat, the inside of the body without invasive surgery. You’ll explore how modern imaging techniques diagnose problems quickly and safely, and how diseases which may not previously have been picked up are identified.

Intrigued? Then sign up for this short course to find out more.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 11 seconds Chemistry plays a crucial role in understanding, diagnosing, and finding cures for some of the world’s most complex medical conditions, such as cancer. Delivered by leading academics, this course examines how applied knowledge of chemistry can solve some of the greatest health challenges facing the world today. In week one, Dr. Richard Foster helps you grasp the vital role that chemotherapy plays in the treatment of cancers, examine how cancer cells are formed, and investigate the developments in cancer chemotherapy research and the future of cancer medicine. In week two, Dr. Charlotte Willans explains the impact of medical imaging techniques and their historical development, consider a range of diagnostic techniques and tools, such as x-ray, and how they have progressed.

Skip to 1 minute and 5 seconds As part of the discovering science program, this course will demonstrate how science is communicated and will further develop your science writing skills, helping you reach a wider audience. Sign up now for Discovering Science, Medicinal Chemistry.

What topics will you cover?

  • The origins of cancer chemotherapy and the key milestones in its history.
  • The chemotherapy process of targeting cancer cells.
  • The use of molecular targeted therapeutics.
  • Research exercise: how molecular targeted therapy is being used by researchers in the treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma.
  • The function of kinase inhibitors.
  • Recent and possible future developments in the treatment of cancer.
  • The potential of epigenetics to transform cancer therapy.
  • Assignment: prepare interview questions to demonstrate scientific understanding.
  • The four main medical imaging techniques and the basic science behind them.
  • The medical properties of metals and the impact that medical imaging has made in diagnostic medicine.
  • The ‘chelate effect’ and the fundamental role that ligands play in creating contrast agents that are safe for human use.
  • The innovative use of X-ray machines in cardiac catheter labs and reflection on the advantages of moving images in X-ray processes.
  • The interdisciplinary nature of medical imaging and the importance of effective communication between roles.
  • The challenges and drawbacks related to patient safety during the use of diagnostic imaging techniques.
  • The ethical considerations associated with imaging techniques.
  • Assignment: a peer reviewed task to prepare a set of interview questions for a scientist.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

This course has been accredited by the CPD Certification Service, which means it can be used to provide evidence of your continuing professional development.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify how chemotherapy works in targeting cancer cells and explain the benefits of molecular targeted therapeutics.
  • Investigate recent developments, and explore potential future developments, in the treatment of cancer.
  • Identify four main medical imaging techniques and the use of contrast agents.
  • Develop an awareness of ethical issues related to diagnostic imaging.

Who is the course for?

The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in chemistry; no previous knowledge or experience is required.

If you are working in the field of science and would like to practice and improve your science writing skills, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time. If you intend to complete the Discovering Science collection of online courses, it is recommended that you complete Discovering Science: Science Writing before starting this course, however, this course can still be studied independently.

Who will you learn with?

I'm from West Yorkshire. I'm a Professor at the University of Leeds & Dean : Student Education. I research cancer & evolution https://physicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/staff/210/professor-paul-taylor

I'm a research scientist/Teaching Fellow within the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds, interested in the structure-based design of novel medicines for infectious diseases.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 11 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

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  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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