Write an assignment include References describe the relevance of chemistry in medicine with topical examples?

Answer 1

Chemistry is a vital field of study that has made a significant impact on the advancement of modern medicine. It involves the study of matter and the chemical transformations that occur within it, which explains how drugs react with the human body and how they can be designed and optimized for maximum efficacy.

This assignment describes the relevance of chemistry in medicine, highlighting topical examples.

Chemistry in Drug Development

Chemistry plays a crucial role in the development of safe and effective drugs that can treat various ailments. Chemical compounds are analyzed, and their properties are evaluated to understand their mechanism of action, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics. Computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR) are popular techniques used to identify and characterize drug structures and their interactions with proteins.

One example is the development of anti-cancer drugs that inhibit the growth of cancer cells by targeting specific proteins. For instance, Imatinib, commonly referred to as Gleevec, is a breakthrough drug that disrupts the signaling pathway in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells, leading to their destruction. Imatinib was developed as a result of chemical analysis that identified optimal target sites for the drug's action.

Chemistry in Drug Delivery

Chemistry has also made a significant contribution to drug delivery, facilitating effective management and treatment of diseases. Drug delivery systems (DDS) refer to technologies used to deliver therapeutic drugs to specific sites in the body, minimizing drug wastage. The use of DDS has improved the bioavailability and efficacy of drugs, as well as reducing toxicity.

Examples of DDS include liposomes and nanoparticles, which encapsulate drug molecules and release them at specific target sites. The controlled release of drugs from DDS has been used in the treatment of various diseases such as cancer, HIV, and tuberculosis.

Chemistry in Diagnostics

Chemistry has also played a significant role in the development of diagnostic tools used in medicine. Diagnostic tests designed to detect diseases help in the early identification and treatment of diseases and infections. These tests analyze biological samples such as blood, urine, and saliva, using various chemical techniques.

An example of a diagnostic test is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is used to amplify DNA samples. PCR identifies the presence of specific DNA sequences in biological samples, making it effective in detecting infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, chemistry plays a crucial role in medicine, from the development of drugs to the diagnosis of diseases. The analysis of chemical compounds and their interactions in the human body has facilitated the development of effective drugs and diagnostic tools, leading to improved patient outcomes. The use of DDS has helped to minimize toxicity, reduce drug wastage and contributed to targeted therapy. To this end, the study of chemistry remains essential in the continuous revolutionizing of modern medicine.

References

1. Teixeira, M. C., Carbone, M., Sousa, M., & Ohara, D. T. (2019). Nanoparticles as DDS in cancer treatment: a drug delivery perspective. Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology, 10(4),1-11. DOI: 10.35248/2157-7439.19.10.443

2. Vardhanabhuti, S., & Zangelidis, A. (2018). Principles of Imaging Techniques and Contrast Agent Use in Medical Imaging. In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/

3. Awang Zulfiklee, U. A., Azemin, M. Z. C., Rohin, M. A. M., & Ghazzali, R. A. (2020). Overview of Diagnostic Imaging Modalities. In Clinical Imaging Modalities: A Personalized Learning Approach (pp. 1-24). Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-1665-1_1

4. Singh, S. K., Nair, V., & Jain, R. K. (2018). Exploring the role of polymerase chain reaction in molecular diagnostics. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 31(1), 32-37. https://journals.lww.com/co-infectiousdiseases/Abstract/2018/02000/Exploring_the_role_of_polymerase_chain_reaction_in.6.aspx