Natural Products

Unit Code: HES3405

Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
1 Semester	48 hours	Sarawak	HES1525	Nil

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

Aims & Objectives:

During the unit we aim:

To introduce Natural Products from different sources, such as Plants and Bacteria and their use as therapeutic agents.
To study the basic concepts of screening source organisms for Natural Products (Bioprospecting).
To introduce the value of biodiversity in an economical context.
To outline the use of synthetic organic compounds as active agents.

At the end of this unit of study, students will be able to:

Discuss the current state of Natural Product Research, with a focus on Malaysia and Sarawak.
Identify, discuss and debate advantages and deficiencies of specific different Natural Products.
Argue the advantages and deficiencies of screening for Natural Products.
Perform basic experiments in the field of Natural Products.
Collate economic, cultural, social and scientific data relating to biodiversity and synthesis that data into a coherent argument for its value.

Teaching Methods:

Lectures, Laboratories, Group Projects

Lectures will be used to provide basic information and encourage students to carry out independent learning tasks. Group projects will be used to facilitate cooperative work and study within the context of team work whilst laboratory exercises will focus on specific experimental tasks.

Assessment:

Assignment (25%), Laboratory work (30%), Examination (45%)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

You will be provided with feedback during the assessment for this unit of study on your progress in attaining the following generic skills:

teamwork skills,
analysis skills,
problem solving skills,
communications skills,
ability to tackle unfamiliar problems, and
ability to work independently

Content:

History of Natural Product Research, with a focus on Malaysia and Sarawak.
Plants: Use as Medicines, Screening for Natural Products, Case Studies.
Bacteria: Screening for Natural Products, Case Studies.
Fungi: Screening for Natural Products, Case Studies.
Corals and Sponges as sources of antibiotics and pharmaceuticals.
Extreme environments as sources for new Natural Products, Case Studies.
Antibiotics, Anticancer, Cosmetics, Neutraceuticals
Biosynthesis and Bioengineering

Reading Materials:

Bhakuni, D.S., Rawat, D.S., Bioactive Marine Natural Products. Springer 2005

Bhat, S.V., Nagasampagi, B.A., Sivakumar, M., Chemistry of Natural Products Springer 2004

Cutler, H. G. and Cutler, S. J., Biologically Active Natural Products: Pharmaceuticals CRC Press 1999

Mulzer, J. H., Natural Product Synthesis I - Targets, Methods, Concepts Springer 2004

Mulzer, J. H., Natural Product Synthesis II Springer 2004

Cseke, L. J., Kirakosyan, A., Kaufman, P. B., Warber, S., Duke, J. A. and Brielmann, H. L. Natural Products from Plants - Second edition CRC Press 2006

Reis, R. L. et al., Natural-based polymers for biomedical applications Woodhead Publishing 2008