This course provides an overview over the concepts and processes employed in today's drug discovery and development. It has an introductory character but will also provide more detailed insights employing real life examples. The course combines lectures and interactive elements which require active participation of the students.

The course provides a platform for the investigation, presentation and discussion of a topic with relevance to the field of pharmaceutical sciences. Students work in small groups on a chosen topic and present their work on a one day symposium.

First identification with Pharmaceutical Sciences; motivation for profiling in the Natural Sciences, which are focused on within the first two years as a preparation for the specialized studies; sensitization for the duties and the responsibilities of a person with a federal diploma in Pharmacy; information about job opportunities.

The lecture series takes place at the ETH Hönggerberg and covers a variety of major activities involved in drug discovery: selecting drug targets, technologies used in drug discovery, small, medium and large drugs, objectives of the medicinal chemist, assessing drug safety, principles of personalized medicine, designing clinical trials, how intellectual property is protected, as well as others.

First identification with Pharmaceutical Sciences; motivation for profiling in the Natural Sciences, which are focused on within the first two years as a preparation for the specialized studies; sensitization for the duties and the responsibilities of a person with a federal diploma in Pharmacy; information about job opportunities.

Microscopic analysis of plant material (pharmacopoeia). Chromatographic analysis of medicinal plants, extraction methods, qualitative/quantitative determination of medicinal plant constituents, isolation of natural products, identification/purity determination of herbal drugs and natural products by means of spectroscopic, chemical, and chromatographic methods.

Introduction to the practical work in a chemistry laboratory. The most important manipulations and techniques are treated, as well as the most fundamental chemical reaction types.

In-depth discussion of selected examples of herbal drugs, including most recent research data. Discussion of selected examples of clinically used isolated natural products (and their derivatives) with a particular focus on antibiotics.

The structure and biosynthesis of plant constituents and the pharmacological effects and therapeutic applications of biogenic drugs of plant origin (extract-based herbal medicines; isolated natural products) are discussed. Areas of focus are (a) major biosynthetic pathways for plant-derived natural products, (b) pharmacological effects of herbal extracts, and (c) molecular mechanisms of action.

The lecture discusses medicinal plants and herbal medicines and their common medical uses. Topics addressed are (a) structure and biosynthesis of plant-derived natural products, (b) pharmacological effects/therapeutic applications of biogenic drugs of plant origin (herbal medicines/isolated natural products), and (c) the molecular basis of the pharmacological effects of medicinal plant extracts.

The lecture discusses medicinal plants and herbal medicines and their common medical uses (cf. lecture course PB I). During the SS the focus is on alkaloids and essential oils. In addition, the theoretical foundations of the lab course Pharmaceutical Biology II will be discussed.

State-of-the-art information on drug discovery and development by experts from academia and industry.

Insights into pathophysiological aspects of selected metabolic disorders in man. One focus will be on diabetes and/or obesity.