Photo AI
When scientists develop drugs against infective agents the term 'rational drug design' or 'designed drug' is often used - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 3
When scientists develop drugs against infective agents the term 'rational drug design' or 'designed drug' is often used. Explain what is meant by the term 'designed ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:When scientists develop drugs against infective agents the term 'rational drug design' or 'designed drug' is often used - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain what is meant by the term 'designed drug'.
Answer
The term 'designed drug' refers to a pharmaceutical compound that is specifically engineered to interact with biological targets in order to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. This approach involves understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease and using that knowledge to develop drugs that can bind to specific proteins or receptors related to the disease process. The goal is to create drugs that minimize side effects while maximizing efficacy.
Step 2
Design a drug that will be effective against this virus.
Answer
To design a drug effective against the virus, one must first identify key proteins on the viral coat that are crucial for its attachment and penetration into host cells. A potential drug could be an antiviral agent that inhibits the binding of the virus to the host cell receptor, thereby preventing the initial steps of infection. This could be achieved by developing molecules that mimic the host receptor, effectively acting as decoys that bind the virus without facilitating entry into the cell.
Moreover, another approach might involve developing inhibitors that disrupt the viral replication process inside the host cell, targeting specific enzymes used by the virus to replicate its genetic material and produce new viral particles.
Important Aspects to Consider:
- Target Identification: Understand which viral proteins are essential for its life cycle.
- Mechanism of Action: Ensure the drug effectively blocks the viral entry or replication.
- Minimizing Host Toxicity: Aim to design compounds that selectively target viral components without affecting host cells.
- Resistance Consideration: Anticipate potential mutations in the virus and design the drug in a way that minimizes the likelihood of resistance development.
- Delivery Method: Consider how the drug will be administered to achieve systemic effectiveness.
Diagram Consideration:
Utilize diagrams to illustrate how the drug would interact with the virus and the host cell, showing the inhibition of attachment or replication.