Advancements in Teaching Computer-Aided Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry: Strategies for Preparing Students Amidst Technological Evolution and Post-Pandemic Shifts.

ABSTRACT:

The fields of medicinal chemistry and computer-aided drug design (CADD) have transformed due to technological progress, paradigm shifts in drug discovery, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s educational impact. This review synthesizes recent research to propose effective pedagogical strategies for higher education, exploring CADD’s historical evolution, post-pandemic student attitudes toward online learning, innovative open-source teaching platforms, and teacher perspectives on skill development. Challenges include bridging interdisciplinary gaps, overcoming online learning barriers, and preparing students for a dynamic industry. Recommendations advocate for hybrid models, hands-on tools, and ethical integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Visual aids, including timelines, survey data, and tool comparisons, enhance understanding, equipping educators to foster future medicinal chemists ready to address global health challenges.

Keywords: Computer-aided drug design; Medicinal chemistry education; post-COVID learning; Open-source tools; Pedagogical strategies; Drug discovery paradigms.