Mechanisms of Therapeutic Drugs
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE2105 | Life Sciences | 2 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- LIFE2105
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This module covers an in-depth overview of the major molecular targets of drugs in current clinical usage, and links their molecular effects to the beneficial (and sometime unwanted) effects seen in humans. The module also introduces online resources involved in early drug discovery.
As such, this module considers the following key areas:
• The Diversity of Molecular Drug Targets
• Cell Signalling Modalities and Their Relationship with Tissue and Organismal Behaviours
• Early Drug Discovery - Target Identification, Validation and Screening
• Pharmacotherapy of Major Human Diseases and Disorders
• Fundamentals of Drug Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion
Target Students
This is compulsory for Pharmacology U6UPHCLG (B211) students. Optional for other students in the School of Life Sciences, subject to approval by the module convenor. Module available only to students who have done LIFE1056 or LIFE1043. (Please note this module is compulsory for students taking LIFE1056).
Co-requisites
Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:
Classes
This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc
Assessment
- 20% Coursework 1: 1000 words, in class.
- 80% Exam 1 (2-hour): End of semester.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The module runs in parallel with Drugs and Diseases (LIFE2106). The module uses combinations of lectures and workshops to provide a comprehensive assessment of current classes of clinical drug targets and consider how additional targets are to be exploited in the future. Drug classes to be considered include those targeting: G protein-coupled receptors, Ligand-gated ion channels, Voltage-gated and other ion channels, Nuclear hormone receptors, Catalytic receptors, Transporters, Enzymes, Atypical drug target classes, including nucleotides and other non-protein targets. In addition, the module provides an overview of the importance of key aspects for successful drug administration in vivo. A further focus of the module looks at online resources for pharmacology and drug discovery, including UniProt, PDB, GPCRdb and GuidetoPharmacology.org.Learning Outcomes
A student who completes this module will be expected to be able:
- A1. To quantify the pharmacological actions of drugs at their targets.
- A2. To identify drugs used for treatment of each condition.
- A3. To describe the mechanism of action of the common drugs/drug families used to treat each condition.
- A4. To understand the pathology of the diseases and how this relates to the action of the drugs.
A student who completes this programme will have the ability:
- B1. To think independently while giving due weight to the arguments of others through research, critical analysis and interpretation of published information and data.
- B2. To demonstrate written communication skills including writing essays on pharmacological topics.
Conveners
- Mrs Olusola Olafuyi
- Dr Stephen Paul Hilary Alexander