This module builds on the prerequisite introductory pharmacology module, and documents modern experimental and therapeutic strategies in molecular pharmacology.
Pharmacodynamics
Bioinformatics application to Target Selection; Receptor Modulation and ligand selectivity (incl. allostery); Ligand Binding Interactions advanced; Intro to Structure and Ligand-Based Drug Discovery
Pharmacokinetics
Routes of administration for biologics, novel drug delivery systems (to include nanotechnology, prodrugs, liposomes); Volume of distribution: data interpretation and calculations, biochemical mechanisms for the biotransformation of drugs and foreign compounds including reaction mechanisms, ultrastructural considerations, induction mechanisms, kinetics of inhibition and activation, ageing effects; elimination rate constant, renal clearance, zero and first order elimination, 1 & 2 compartment models
Toxicology
Toxicological testing, toxicological molecular mechanisms of disease
Pharmacogenomics
Polymorphisms affecting drug metabolism: cytochrome p450 polymorphisms, slow and fast metabolisers, N-acetyltransferase; genetic variation in drug transporters and G-protein coupled receptors; Gene therapy
Pharmacotherapeutics
Selected case studies to demonstrate pharmacological and molecular approaches for the treatment of chosen diseases (e.g. cystic fibrosis) Adverse drug reactions and drug interactions
Experimental Pharmacology to include Computer Assisted Learning
Advanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling and simulation using (but not limited to) for example Molecular Operating Environment (Chemical Computing Group).
| Lectures (20 hours) and tutorials (4 hours) which will include online student response systems and in-class quizzes. Case studies, experimental pharmacology to include advanced data interpretation workshops and computer assisted learning software (20 hours) |
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |