Course Description
The molecular basis of drug action and major disease states. Related laboratory techniques and current literature will complement didactic lectures.
Athena Title
Molecular Pharmacology
Corequisite
PHRM 8040
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course will allow students to understand the molecular principles of biochemical control of physiology via endogenous mediators and exogenous therapeutics. Students will learn the major pathways by which receptors regulate cell and organ function and will become familiar with common targets for therapeutic intervention. Finally, students will explore laboratory techniques used to investigate these molecular pathways as valid targets for drug discovery.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction to Pharmacology and Drug Action Principles of Pharmacology Drugable molecular pathways Receptor-ligand interactions G-protein coupled receptors Effectors and second messengers Project/Exam 1 II. Autonomic Pharmacology Autonomic Pharmacology: adrenergic and cholinergic systems and receptors Autonomic Pharmacology: Classic respiratory and cardiovascular drugs and mechanisms Cardiovascular biology and disease Cardiovascular drugs: enzyme inhibitors Project/Exam 2 III. Neuropharmacology Principles of Neuropharmacology: neurotransmission and synaptic communication Catecholamine function, disorders, and psychoactive drugs Ion channel targets Pain Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy drugs Neuronal degeneration Stem Cells as therapeutic, cell replacement therapy for neurodegeneration Project/Exam 3 IV . Cancer and Immuno Pharmacology Cell growth, cell cycle Cell death Kinases/Kinase coupled receptors Cancer Inflammation and immune cell function and signaling Immunotherapy Project/Exam 4 V. Metabolic and systems pharmacology Pathways that control metabolism and energy expenditure Diabetes and Obesity Nuclear hormone receptors Transcriptional regulation as therapeutic target Genetic diseases Oligonucleotide Drugs Systems pharmacology Biomarkers and pharmacogenomics Part VI. Experimental Structure Determination - X-ray Crystallography Gain a basic foundation of Protein Crystallography and be able to understand: The basic principles of X-ray crystallography The basic principles governing sample prep and crystallization Types of X-ray crystallography experiments related to drug design and their uses Gain a familiarity with the process of solving a protein X-ray crystal structure Be able to generate and interpret validation data pertaining to an X-ray crystal structure Part VII. Structure-Based Drug Design Obtain a foundational understanding of how structure-based drug design is carried out Be familiarized with computer aided small molecule – protein docking methodology Gain an understanding of the general benefits and limitations of structure and computational-based drug design Part VIII. Biologics Acquire a foundational understanding of methodology behind antibody-based therapeutics and other biologics Part IX. Final Presentations 22. Show proficiency in Parts I-VIII by communicating an in- depth, literature based, oral report on the medicinal chemistry and structural optimization of a therapeutic
Syllabus
Public CV