Pharmacology with Research Placement BSc(Hons)

​Biochemistry 1 gives a basic account of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, particularly proteins and is illustrated by reference to such molecules as haemoglobin. A firm grounding in enzyme action is provided and this is supported by a number of practical classes. The relationship between genes and proteins and the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology are emphasised. A foundation in the study of metabolism is provided, directing you towards an understanding of the underlying principles rather than rote learning of metabolic pathways. The subject provides the basis for further studies in subjects such as Cell Structure and Pharmacology. The subject is delivered by formal lectures and in laboratory classes. However your learning is supported by tutorial classes, the provision of web-based material and, where necessary, a limited amount of individual tuition.

This module covers all the major organs of the body together with models of normal and abnormal bodily function. Emphasis will be directed to the concept of homeostasis and the integration of dynamic processes involved in the maintenance of health.

Research in science ranges from finding out what is already known to carrying out investigations to add to our store of knowledge. This module provides the requisite background skills for successful completion of an Honours Degree in Biology. Basic generic skills involving literacy, numeracy and use of IT are applied to summarising, understanding, interpreting and presenting data generated by laboratory investigations. Throughout the module the emphasis is on learning the skills that will be used in various parts of the degree course. Acquisition of learning skills takes precedence over memorising facts. Learning about current topics in science involves finding peer-reviewed scientific literature (using library facilities and database searches), and summarising it with source attribution as a report using correct scientific style. Basic statistics is taught using spreadsheet and statistics programs. You'll also have the opportunity to build up a portfolio of evidence relating to your skills for Personal Development Planning.

This module introduces you to the fundamental concepts of pharmacology. The four main types of regulatory proteins (receptors, enzymes, transporters and ion channels) are discussed as potential drug targets in various organ systems. The physical processes of drug absorption and distribution around the body is also discussed, followed by a detailed account of drug metabolism and elimination. This module gives you an understanding of basic pharmacokinetics, including single-compartment and two-compartment models. You'll be introduced to competitive antagonism. Desensitisation and tolerance will also be discussed with relevant examples.

This module will lay the foundations for the study of those aspects of chemistry that are necessary in order to understand the science behind the discovery and use of medicines of chemical synthetic and plant/natural origin. The importance of physicochemical principles and the use of physical and chemical tests and analytical methods (principles, design, development and application) will include an introduction to infra-red, ultra-violet and mass spectrometry and also NMR. In the second half of the module, the chemistry and properties of the principal functional groups will be considered to highlight how physical, chemical and drug properties can be predicted.

​The module is designed to be an extension of Molecular and Cellular Biology module, where cells and tissues are studied in more depth. The nature of biological membranes is considered in detail, particularly the more complex phospholipids and glycolipids. The module extends to consider how cells exist in tissues and the role of extracellular matrix components and cell junctions in cellular interactions. Material covered in a number of earlier modules is integrated in order to appreciate the complexity of multicellular organisms and the problems associated with communication between cells. Two second messenger systems (cyclic 3'-5' adenosine monophosphate and inositol phospholipids) are covered in depth in order to focus on the problems associated with transduction of signals across biological membranes. Cellular communication is covered, including signalling membrane receptors and intracellular signalling pathways. Different types of cell communication are highlighted using specific tissue/cell type examples. The practical element of the module involves the sub-cellular fractionation of tissue derived cells and the identification of the appropriate marker enzymes in the separate sub-cellular fractions.

The module aims to build on the basic physiology that was studied in the first year. The organisation and regulatory roles of the nervous system are considered and their interaction investigated. This module will introduce you to the techniques used to investigate the molecular events of the nervous system. The electrophysiological techniques of voltage and patch clamp will be explained. Subsequently the central nervous system (CNS) will be investigated and the functions associated with its anatomical regions. Interactions such as sensory and motor integration, sleep-wake cycles and higher mental functions (consciousness and memory) will also be introduced. Endocrine physiology will also be considered with particular emphasis on the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis in endocrine control and integration of activities of the nervous and endocrine systems. The physiological role of hormones in reproduction and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis will be examined. Glucose regulation and the pathologies associated with dys-regulation will also be discussed.

The module will start with an overview of fundamental concepts in pharmacology including the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs (ADME). The module will then explore the molecular aspects of drug action, with detailed examples of various targets (including receptors, ion channels, enzymes and transporters). You'll then have the opportunity to investigate the theoretical relationship between ligand concentration and binding-site occupancy (Hill-Langmuir equation). This will be combined with discussion in lectures of protein-ligand interactions and what factors may influence binding affinity. As the largest family of proteins targeted by drug discovery methods, the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are of fundamental importance to pharmacology. Individual case studies of GPCRs will be used to highlight the fundamental concepts covered in the first term. The case studies will highlight the therapeutic relevance of GPCRs with details of their molecular properties, kinetic models of action, and receptor oligomerization. In the latter part of the module, you'll have the chance to learn about biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy. The module will include consideration of the drug discovery and development process and technologies involved (chemical screen libraries, assay development), including high throughput screening. The stages of development of a new drug with details of initial lead-finding, optimization, pre-clinical development, phase I, II, III trials and regulatory approval will be discussed.

This module introduces you to the underpinning biophysical pharmaceutics for the formulation and compounding of medicines valuable for understanding of extemporaneous preparation, but also for the rational design of existing drug formulations. The theory outlining the formulation of drugs for improved absorption, metabolism and biological targeting provides the opportunity to gain a practical understanding of efficient pharmaceutical design.

This module starts by considering disease and death in a social and historical context. Ways of viewing population structure and quantifying the experience of birth, sickness and death within the population are studied and discussed. Trends in fertility and in morbidity and mortality will be illustrated with examples. The basis of epidemiological studies is discussed. The main observational designs are studied. Experimental designs such as the randomised controlled trial are also discussed. The uses of the various type of study are illustrated by examples and threats to validity such as bias and confounding are investigated. Applications are then presented which illustrate the uses of the various techniques and terminology. Case studies are developed from a variety of threats to health such as dietary inadequacies and infectious disease.

The aim of this module is to extend the knowledge of use of drugs from years 1 and 2 to the management of disorders in the CNS and Cancer. CNS topics will include depression, psychosis and anxiety, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. Other topics will include pain and the use of opioid analgesics, CNS stimulants, psychotomimetics and the physiological basis of drug dependence and drug abuse. The mechanisms of general and local anaesthesia with reference to the CNS and the peripheral nervous system will be covered. Pharmacology of drugs in cancer treatment will be covered. Further lectures on applied pharmacokinetics will complement the kinetic lectures covered in years 1 and 2. This is in addition to including drug-drug interaction.

This module extends your understanding of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, and relevance to an extended range of dosage forms. Different delivery methods, routes of delivery and formulation type will be individually reviewed including oral and aerosol formulations. Formulation approaches to targeting the different routes of delivery (buccal, colon, rectal, nasal ophthalmic, pulmonary and transdermal) will also be covered. The structure and the nature of the barrier properties of the tissue will be discussed in terms of the advantages afforded by delivery to the site and strategies for maximising absorption. The design, manufacture and performance of modified release drug dosage forms and factors governing release kinetics from reservoir, osmotic and monolithic systems and mathematical calculations will be covered. Aspects of formulation and the importance of pharmaceutical analysis to maintain the quality, safety and efficacy of the product will be consolidated in the practicals and case-study. Pharmaceutical analysis including thermal, and rheological analyses are covered along with release testing, UV analysis, aerosol testing and particle sizing.

This module provides a detailed investigation of all the stages of drug development. The module begins with drug design and methods of discovery (chemical synthetic, biotechnological, animal and plant origin). The fundamentals of the pre-clinical, clinical and prescription phased trials and monitoring of new drugs will be covered, outlining the required stages and difficulties of introducing new drugs. The drug development process will be extended to an appreciation of how genetic variation may underpin personalized medicine, especially in the context of pharmacogenomic analysis. Biomarkers are used as surrogates for genotypic direction of personalized medicine and the science of these developments will be considered in detail. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic perspectives will be studied as well as inter-patient variation in the expression of drug metabolising/ activating enzymes and differences in expression of drug targets such as receptors, genes, enzymes and growth factors. Biometric analysis, bioinformatics and the relevant IT will be explored in relation to ‘OMIC’ technologies as applied to pharmacogenomics.

After a brief introduction to the nature of the immune system with an emphasis on clonal selection, antibody structure is studied in fine detail. The incredible ability of the vertebrate immune system to produce a vast range of antibody specificities is discussed and the genetic mechanisms by which this repertoire is generated receives an in depth coverage. Following this, the properties of the various types of T cell are explored with a discussion of the role of the Class I and Class II MHC molecules in recognising virally infected cells. The module progresses to consider what happens when the immune system "goes wrong" and a number of pathological conditions are considered. The subsequent part of the module outlines the molecular and cellular interactions between infectious organisms and the host immune system. Selected infectious organisms and agents, including a range of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms will be studied in detail to illustrate the complexity of the host/pathogen interaction. The way these organisms have evolved to overcome detection by the immune system will be discussed. The life cycles of selected viruses, protozoa and parasitic worms will be covered in detail.

This module covers the use of molecular genetic and cytogenetic techniques to delineate the cause and treatment of disease and illnesses and delivers an introduction to genetic counselling. The module begins with an account of the aetiology of human genetic disease and how DNA technology has aided disease gene mapping, cloning and sequencing and gives you an overview of gene and mutation databases. The latest methods used for disease diagnosis are then discussed, including fluorescence in situ hybridisation and high-throughput DNA sequencing. Prenatal diagnosis, population screening and ethics in medical genetics are discussed. You'll also be introduced to the concepts and tools for the study of complex diseases. The current state of gene therapy and animal models for human disease are also considered. The module highlights two particular diseases of interest – the diagnosis, molecular pathology and treatment of cystic fibrosis and the genetics and epigenetics of diabetes.

Pathobiology (the biology underlying disease) is a critical element of biomedicine. This module considers the aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of some of the major chronic diseases that affect human health with an emphasis on cancer and will also include neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, diabetes and others. The module will also include chronic conditions associated with the disruption of the normal human immune system including inflammatory conditions, auto-immune diseases and hypersensitivities. The aims of this module are to introduce you to a range of chronic diseases and their global significance. To explain in detail the molecular and cellular mechanisms that are responsible for the development of chronic diseases, and describe the symptoms and progression of chronic diseases including modern methods in diagnosis and screening. This module also discusses the targets and treatments for therapeutic intervention in chronic diseases.