Specialised training

Drug Discovery: from target to drug candidate

Hands-on training in computer-aided drug discovery: molecular docking, virtual screening, molecular dynamics, interaction analysis and structure prediction. With practical work on real cases.

Programme en cours de finalisation. Les modules, durées et prérequis ci-dessous décrivent l'offre envisagée. Les dates de session, tarifs exacts et modalités d'inscription seront confirmés ultérieurement. Aucune date n'a été inventée.
Modular pathway

Seven modules, from beginner to advanced

Each module can be taken independently. A complete pathway is also offered, from target preparation to results analysis.

Molecular docking

Beginner Paid

Principles of docking, receptor and ligand preparation, search grid definition, AutoDock Vina parameterisation and interpretation of affinity scores.

  • Theory: protein-ligand interactions, scoring functions
  • PDB → PDBQT preparation (receptor and ligand)
  • Active site selection and grid definition
  • Vina parameters: exhaustiveness, num_modes, energy_range
  • Validation by redocking and RMSD calculation
  • Duration 2 days (14 h)
  • Prerequisites Basic biochemistry, command line
  • Format In person or online

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Virtual screening

Intermediate Paid

Building a compound library, batch ligand preparation, automated screening and result ranking. ADMET filtering and hit classification.

  • Compound sources: ZINC, PubChem, ChEMBL
  • Automated library preparation
  • Screening scripts and parallelisation
  • ADMET filters and Lipinski's rules
  • Hit classification and prioritisation
  • Duration 3 days (21 h)
  • Prerequisites Module 1 or equivalent
  • Format In person or online

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Molecular dynamics

Intermediate Paid

Simulating the stability of protein-ligand complexes over time: system preparation, solvation, equilibration and trajectory analysis.

  • System preparation: force field, solvation, ions
  • Minimisation, equilibration, production
  • RMSD and RMSF analysis
  • Hydrogen bond interactions over time
  • Binding free energy (MM/PBSA, MM/GBSA)
  • Duration 3 days (21 h)
  • Prerequisites Module 1, notions of classical mechanics
  • Format In person recommended (compute-intensive)

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Interaction analysis

Beginner Paid

Identification and quantification of protein-ligand interactions, pose analysis and result validation. Production of publication-quality figures.

  • PLIP analysis: hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic contacts, π-stacking
  • Interaction fingerprints (IFP)
  • Clustering of docking poses
  • Multi-function consensus scoring
  • PyMOL visualisation and 2D diagrams
  • Duration 2 days (14 h)
  • Prerequisites Module 1
  • Format In person or online

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Structure prediction

Intermediate Paid

Obtaining a 3D structure when no experimental structure is available: AlphaFold, homology modelling and model quality assessment.

  • AlphaFold2 / ESMFold: use and interpretation
  • Reading pLDDT and PAE scores
  • Homology modelling (MODELLER, SWISS-MODEL)
  • Model validation: Ramachandran, Z-score
  • Preparing a predicted model for docking
  • Duration 2 days (14 h)
  • Prerequisites Basic structural biochemistry
  • Format Online

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Scientific programming

Intermediate Free

Automating an end-to-end docking pipeline: preparation, execution, analysis and report generation. An introductory module.

  • Python for bioinformatics: basics and best practices
  • Structure manipulation with RDKit and Biopython
  • Batch preparation and execution scripts
  • Results analysis with pandas
  • Automatic report generation
  • Duration 3 days (21 h)
  • Prerequisites None (introductory module)
  • Format Online

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Scientific writing

Intermediate Free

Structuring and writing an article or thesis presenting molecular modelling results, with compliant figures and references.

  • IMRaD structure and argumentative logic
  • Writing the Methods section for docking
  • Presenting results: tables and figures
  • Reference management with BibTeX
  • Proofreading and responding to reviewers
  • Duration 2 days (14 h)
  • Prerequisites Having results to present
  • Format Online

Detailed hour-by-hour program

Target audience

Who is this training for?

Students (Master's, PhD)

To acquire the practical skills needed for a thesis or dissertation in molecular modelling.

Academic researchers

To integrate virtual screening into a research project and publish reproducible results.

Pharmaceutical and biotech industry

To train teams in computer-aided drug discovery tools.

Career changers

To train for careers in cheminformatics and molecular modelling.

Teachers

To integrate docking practical work into their courses and have reusable materials.

Formats offered

Three learning modes

In-person workshop

Hands-on work on machines, in small groups. Direct support and on-site resolution of installation issues.

Online training

Video conference sessions with screen sharing, downloadable materials and guided exercises to complete on your own machine.

Individual mentoring

Personalised support on your research project: from defining the biological question to analysing the results.

Technical requirements

What you need to follow the practical work

Modules can be followed on your own computer or on a machine provided during in-person workshops.

Item Minimum Recommended
Operating system Linux, macOS, Windows 10 Linux (Ubuntu 22.04+)
Memory (RAM) 8 Go 16 Go
Processor 4 cœurs 8 cœurs ou plus
Disk space 20 Go libres 50 Go libres (SSD)
Connection 2 Mbit/s 10 Mbit/s
Pas d'ordinateur adapté ? Certains modules (prédiction de structure, programmation) peuvent être suivis via des environnements de calcul en ligne gratuits. En revanche, la dynamique moléculaire et le criblage de grandes chimiothèques nécessitent une machine locale ou un accès à un serveur de calcul.
Pricing

A mixed model: some modules are free

Introductory modules Free

The Scientific programming and Scientific writing modules are offered free of charge, to make the basics accessible to as many people as possible.

Technical modules Paid

The docking, screening, molecular dynamics, interaction analysis and structure prediction modules are quoted individually, adapted to the participant's status (student, researcher, company).

Tarifs sur demande. Aucun tarif n'est affiché car la grille tarifaire n'a pas encore été fixée. Demandez un devis en précisant votre statut et les modules souhaités.

Interested in a training course?

Tell us your status, your level and the modules you want. We will reply with a tailored program.