Biopharmaceutical Chemistry

Biopharmaceutical Chemistry is the study of biomolecules (such as DNA, proteins, and carbohydrates) and their applications in therapeutic medicine. Numerous diseases and medical conditions are caused by improper function or the absence of a particular biomolecule. For example, some forms of diabetes result from a lack of insulin. The role of the biopharmaceutical chemist is to design and synthesize molecules that can substitute for the missing protein. The replacement molecule is often a modified protein, prepared using chemical and biotechnological methods. Biopharmaceutical Chemistry is a multidisciplinary subject that combines areas of chemistry and biology. The Biopharmaceutical Chemistry course has a relatively small intake of students and includes ample opportunity for research within projects in years 2 and 4, as well as a 20-26 week work placement in Year 3.