An interdisciplinary course on computer-aided drug discovery to broaden student participation in original scientific research

We present a new highly interdisciplinary project-based course in computer aided drug discovery (CADD). This course was developed in response to a call for alternative pedagogical approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the cancellation of a face-to-face summer research program sponsored by the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN). The course integrates guided research and educational experiences for chemistry, biology, and computer science students. We implement research-based methods with publicly available tools in bioinformatics and molecular modeling to identify and prioritize promising antiviral drug candidates for COVID-19. The purpose of this course is three-fold: I. Implement an active learning and inclusive pedagogy that fosters student engagement and research mindset; II. Develop student interdisciplinary research skills that are highly beneficial in a broader scientific context; III. Demonstrate that pedagogical shifts (initially incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic) can furnish longer-term instructional benefits. The course, which has now been successfully taught a total of five times, incorporates four modules, including lectures/discussions, live demos, inquiry-based assignments, and science communication.

Bioisosteric-Replacement-Driven Lead Optimization of Tyclopyrazoflor

A heterocyclic replacement strategy has been applied attempting to further optimize the biological properties of the new insecticide tyclopyrazoflor, a pyridinyl-pyrazole compound with excellent activity against sap-feeding insects recently discovered by Corteva. Our research program on this novel chemical class of insecticide was targeted to evaluate the importance of both the pyridyl and pyrazole moieties on the biological activity, properties, and structure-activity. Synthetic methodologies have been developed delivering our designed target compounds in moderate to good yields. In our attempt to rationalize the biological activity differences of tyclopyrazoflor analogues, a potential surface analysis based on a density functional theory (DFT) calculation and DFT-derived Multiwfn and VMD program model was performed. Furthermore, the SwissBioisostere online database was applied as a great source for inspiration for bioisosteric replacements.