Drug Discovery and Safety (MSc)

Why Leiden University?

Primary overarching research themes involved in Drug Discovery and Safety

Two major research themes of the division of Drug Target and Safety of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research involved in the master’s specialisation Drug Discovery and Safety are:

Cell Systems and Drug Safety 

The research within the Division of Cell Systems and Drug Safety is focused on novel therapeutic modalities and novel concepts in early drug discovery, in order to develop more effective and safer therapeutic strategies. We generate advanced cell and computational models and combine these with quantitative imaging-based phenotypic screening for drug target and drug lead discovery. As an example, we study cancer metastasis and therapy resistance, for which we use genetic (RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9) and pharmacological screening coupled to quantitative microscopy and quantitative systems biology modelling.

Medicinal Chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry involves work on the design, synthesis and evaluation of new compounds that modulate G protein-coupled receptor activity (GPCRs). Essential is that these compounds meet specific requirements that enable them to work effectively as medicinal agents. To this end, a ‘chemical biology’ approach is pursued in which synthetic chemistry, new developments in bio- and cheminformatics, biochemistry/molecular biology and pharmacology are combined. Finally, the interaction with their targets is modelled and evaluated at atomic resolution for a more rational approach of drug design.

As a master’s student BPS Drug and Target Discovery you will be involved in the research of the division Cell Systems and Drug Safety, or division of Medicinal Chemistry. Learn more about the research themes.

Faculty of Science

The Leiden University Faculty of Science is a first-class research faculty with an excellent position in the fundamental disciplines of science. The current research and education programmes cover the entire spectrum of science, including Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science, Computer Science, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, and Environmental Sciences. Our science community is driven by their curiosity and desire to increase basic knowledge for science and to contribute to the great societal challenges of today and tomorrow. Our core values are scientific impact, technological innovation and societal relevance. 

Study at a world-class university

Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and enjoys an excellent worldwide reputation built up over more than four centuries. Since 1575 we’ve provided sound personal education for hundreds of thousands of students. We’ll do our utmost to give you the best possible support. And if you can and want to do more, we’ll challenge you every step of the way. For many years, we’ve been among the leaders in Dutch university rankings and we are currently to be found in a variety of top international rankings too.

More reasons to choose Leiden University