Natural Product Drug Discovery

Natural products are an incredibly important source of biologically active compounds for both human healthcare and agriculture, and recent technological advances mean that their application can now be fully explored.

This Master’s course in Natural Product Drug Discovery at University of East Anglia will equip you with theoretical and practical knowledge in the science of natural product discovery, from microorganisms to plants and animals. Your studies will include nutraceuticals and herbal extracts, antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance and the major human diseases. You'll learn from academic and industrial experts who are currently active in natural product research and drug discovery.

Your learning will combine lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals, as well as an independent research project and self-guided study. Our expert team is based across the Norwich Research Park, including the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and the John Innes Centre. Guest speakers from the pharmaceutical and biotech sector will also present sessions covering topics such as the industrial applications of natural product research.

We place an emphasis on translational research and the drug discovery process, taking natural products from bench to bedside. And you’ll gain a thorough cross-disciplinary grounding with a unique mix of organic chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry and microbiology. This would be ideal preparation for a research-based career, while you may also consider careers in research design, R&D sections of medical industry, scientific writing or research management.

Careers

• R&D positions in industry

• PhD in science

• Scientific writing

• Research management

Courses include:

• Natural Products and Drug Discovery

• Natural Product Chemistry and Genetics

• Targets for Drug Discovery

• Antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance

• Classes of natural products and their biosynthesis

• Sources of natural products – terrestrial and marine