Entry requirements

Chemistry for biomedicine 15 credits (3FK162), Biochemistry 7 credits (3KB030), Cell- and Molecular Biology 15 credits (3MU123), Metabolism 6 credits (KB033) and Physiology 16.5 credits (3MC444)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student is expected to (be able to)

Knowledge and understanding

- account for the structures of different macromolecular targets for drugs and associated analytical methods for measuring the pharmacological effects of drugs

- identify the pharmacological affiliation of pharmaceutical substances pharmacological from their chemical structures, and provide explanation with reference to characteristic structures and also describe the most important classes of pharmaceuticals and be able to explain their modes of action at the molecular and cellular level.

- account for and interpret structure-effect relationships for drugs and other biologically active molecules.

- account for the principles behind drug absorption distribution, metabolism, secretion, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions and be able to relate these to the chemical structure of the drug.

- account for the principles of modern drug development in preclinical phase and be able to apply different design strategies to optimise drug properties.

- account for the theoretical background of some pharmacological laboratory experiments.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

- carry out some pharmacological laboratory experiments and be able to analyse compiled measurement data.

- practically carry out computer simulations of a drug interactions with its macromolecular target by means of practical computer modelling.

JUDGEMENT AND APPROACH

- account for relevant pharmacological laboratory experiments orally and/or in writing and critically analyse the results.

- account for relevant computer simulations orally and/or in writing and evaluate these critically.

Content

The following topics are discussed: basic pharmacology for drugs mainly within the fields of CNS, PNS, the cardiovascular system, infection (anti-bacterial or antiviral drugs), cancer, inflammation and pain, and pharmacological principles, and examples, of biological (protein and antibody-based) drugs. The course casts light on drugs from an organic-chemical perspective with an emphasis on structure-effect relationships for classes of pharmaceuticals within the fields presented in the above, including the influence of stereochemical factors on the interaction between drugs and receptors. Further, the principles behind the uptake, distribution, metabolism, secretion of drugs, as well as adverse drug reactions and interactions between drugs are considered, especially in relation to the chemical structures of drugs as well as preclinical drug development and drug design. The course also coverns concentration-effect relationships, receptor binding theory in conjunction with calculation methods, differences between registered drug and natural remedies/alternative medicine.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, interactive lectures, PBL-cases, group assignments and laboratory sessions. Laboratory sessions and group assignments are presented orally and in writing. The presence of participants in the course is obligatory for the course introduction, tests and examinations as well as for those elements of the course that the course leader declares to be obligatory at the course introduction.

Assessment

To pass the course, passed results of all compulsory parts and a pass mark in the written final examination are required (passed laboratory course, active participation in the PBL-cases and passed group assignment).

A chance to complete a failed laboratory course can be given only at the next occasion at which the course is given and only in case of a vacancy.

Students who fail to pass the examination have the right to retake the examination on 4 additional occasions (= a total of 5 examination attempts). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee can allow additional examinations. Participation in an examination is counted as one examination. Submission of a so called blank exam is counted as one examination attempt.