A) OBJECTIVES

The course introduces the concepts and experimental approaches to the chemistry of bioactive substances by consolidating the principles gained under the organic chemistry course, focusing on biogenesis, synthesis, chemical structure and pharmacological properties of bioactive substances . In the first part of the course, the concept of the "pharmacophore theory" will be introduced as a minimal structural unit characterized by a specific biological and clinical activity. Bioactive substances, both of synthetic and natural origin, will be classified according to their main pharmacophores. The student will learn to recognize the pharmacophore even in the context of complex molecular structures. In the second part of the course, critical tools will be provided to associate certain pharmacophorees to specific pharmaceutical and pharmacological applications, with particular attention to the molecular action mechanism by with which the bioactive substances act in the body. The student will be able to understand the natural origin of bioactive organic substances and their possible industrial applications by receiving specific training on the design, development and evaluation of new drugs. In addition, due to the knowledge of molecular action mechanisms, the student may associate the use of bioactive substances with specific nutraceutical, cosmeceutic and cosmetic products, including restrictions on the use of potentially toxic substances and the possibility of their use after functional and structural improvement. This knowledge will enable the student to deal with a professional career within the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industry.

B) EXPECTED LEARNING RESULTS
• Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the principles that define the minimum structural unit of an organic, natural or synthetic molecule, to have a certain biological activity (pharmacophore theory). Knowledge of the relationship between the type of pharmacophore present in an organic molecule and the pharmaceutical and pharmacological activity. Knowledge ot the molecular-level of the action mechanism of the major families of bioactive substances, with particular attention to substances with antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antitumour activity. Knowledge of the key steps for the design of a drug, and procedures for its clinical validation and use. Knowledge of the origin and distribution in nature of the main families of biologically active natural organic substances.
• Applied knowledge and understanding: In addition to the knowledge gained through the bioactive substance chemistry study, students will be able to apply theoretical concepts acquired during the course in solving practical exercises based on the teacher's request to present possible schemes for the design of a drug, having the initial indication of the target of action at the molecular level and knowing the type of pathology against which the treatment therapy is to be developed. In this case, students will also have to apply their previous knowledge of chemistry and biology for complete resolution of the problem.
• Making judgements: At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the necessary training for full autonomy of judgment on the possibility of using a certain organic substance of natural or synthetic origin for the therapy of a certain pathology . The student will then be able to link the acquired knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology, enzymology, physiology and genetic to the design of a substance applicable in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical fields.
• Communication skills: students will be continuously and consistently invited to participate actively in the lesson in order to deepen the topic and to collect proposals for possible solutions in the case of complex phatological scenarios. In this activity, students will be called upon to meet in order to support their ideas. The educational pitch is aimed at increasing the communicative skills and the ability to know how to work and to confront a group, all aimed at consolidating the acquired concepts.
• Learning Skills: Students' learning abilities will be evaluated during the course of the course by tests that will allow to individually monitor the maturation state of the knowledge, highlighting the student's ability to return the aquired cencepts.

PROGRAM
Nucleic acids: A closer look on the local structure of nucleic acids. Antisens and antigene oligonucleotides. Design of modified oligonucleotides: modification of the phosphate group, sugar modification, modification of nucleic bases. Chemical DNA/RNA sequencing and measurement of the melting temperature. Code for the recognition of nuclobeses. Conjugated oligonucleotides: intercalating, redox and alkylating. Synthesis and mechanisms of action. Interaction of metal ions with nucleic acids: acid-base HARD / SOFT theory.
Theory of the pharmacophore. Introduction and general concepts. Examples of the pharmacophore theory in the interaction of small molecules with nucleic acids. Ene-diino antibiotics. Inhibitors of the minor loop. Mono- and bis-intercalators. Intercalating-alkylating antitumoal compoundsr. Intercalators based on Pt / Pd. Examples of the pharmacophore theory in the case of polyphenols.
The pharmacophore phenol, catechol and pirogallol. The antioxidant action and radical scavanging properties. The pharmacophore quinone, alkylating activity and toxicity. the cellular redox role in polyphenols. Biogenesis of polyphenols. Synthesis of aromatic amino acids. Phenylpropanoic acids. Lignin and lignans. Biosynthesis and biological activity. Coumarins and flavonoids. Biosynthesis and biological activity. Biogenesis of terpenoids. Monoterpenes, diterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Steroids and carotenoids. Biosynthesis and biological activity.
Principles of biocatalysis for the synthesis of bioactive substances. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Methods of immobilization. Methods of characterization. Oxidative biocatalysis: laccase. tyrosinase, peroxidase. Formation of C-C bond, aldolase.

Bioorganic Chemistry, Nucleic acids, Sudnay M. Hetcht Ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1996.
Bioorganic Chemistry, peptides and proteins, Sudnay M. Hetcht Ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1996..
Chimica delle Sostanze Organiche Naturali, Ed. Giunti.