SFKKIL001U Molecular Pharmacology

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences - elective
Cand.scient.Pharm - elective
cand.pharm - elective
Content
Through an integrated approach of lectures, project work and laboratory exercises, the students will learn about central topics in molecular pharmacology, such as ligand-receptor interactions, recombinant techniques (cloning of drug targets, mutagenesis), expression systems (mammalian cell culturing), transgenic animal technology, pharmacological assays (binding/functional assays), molecular probes and probe design, structure-activity relationships, gene-expression studies (mRNA/protein), data analysis and interpretation (GraphPad Prism etc).
During the course the students will work together in groups of 3. They will cover 4 themes and write up material used for both the practical work and examination.
Learning Outcome

Course objective

Molecular pharmacology is an important research field integrating medicinal chemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology. The field is central to the drug discovery process. The objectives of this course are to provide a theoretical foundation of central molecular pharmacology terms and methodologies through theoretical and practical experience.

Course outcome

The student will attain knowledge about commonly used molecular pharmacology techniques and incorporate this knowledge into laboratory practice. This will be attained through lectures, workshops and laboratory exercises.

By the end of the course the student will be able to:

  • understand central molecular pharmacology principles and methodologies
  • Identify critical steps and describe technical details in relation to planning a pharmacological assay
  • calculate and interpret pharmacological data
  • present and discuss results in a relevant drug discovery/pharmaceutical context
  • comprehend molecular pharmacology in relation to drug discovery
Literature
  • Textbook: Molecular pharmacology: From DNA to Drug Discovery by John Dickenson (ISBN: 9780470684436; John Wiley and Sons) 
  • Selected original scientific literature
  • Lab manual
Students should have completed bachelor's level lecture course(s) in biochemistry and/or pharmacology, including some laboratory exercises.
The course will be based on 8 workshops and 4 laboratory exercises. During the workshops, central topics in molecular pharmacology will be covered through lectures, exercises and project work. The theoretical foundation obtained will direct the practical work. The students will work together in groups of three to design written material about the techniques to be used in the lab (TECHNOLOGY sheet), based on knowledge from the lectures and original scientific reports. Together with a supervisor they will first plan their experimental work, perform the actual assay and afterwards interpret the results in a DATA sheet.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 32
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Guidance
  • 8
  • Practical exercises
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 101,5
  • Project work
  • 48
  • Total
  • 206,0
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 30 min under invigilation
Examination is based on material submitted by the student (TECHNOLOGY and DATA sheets). The exam is without preparation time.
Exam registration requirements
The student must be present and take active part in all course activities. The student must submit and have approval of written material before the oral exam.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed
Only the submitted material which is drawn as the exam subject.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
Examination is based on the TECHNOLOGY and DATA sheets prepared during the course. Presentation of the project work serves as starting point for the exam, followed by an examination, covering project specific but also more general topics discussed through the course.

12 - Excellent performance
A comprehensive collected understanding and knowledge of molecular pharmacology is demonstrated:
  • The student can fully account for and present the written material
  • The student demonstrates a clear and precise knowledge of the applied terminology
  • The student is able to analyze and discuss the specific data in a convincing manner
  • The student is able to draw parallels to the drug discovery process and to other aspects of molecular pharmacology

7 - Good performance

An advanced understanding and knowledge of molecular pharmacology is demonstrated:

  • The student can account for and present the written material with some weaknesses
  • The student demonstrates a firm knowledge of the applied terminology
  • The student is able to analyze and discuss the specific data to some extent
  • The student is able to relate the topic to the drug discovery process and to other aspects of molecular pharmacology

2 - Acceptable performance

A basic understanding and knowledge of molecular pharmacology is demonstrated:

  • The student can account for and present the written material with several weaknesses
  • The student demonstrates a somewhat deficient knowledge of the applied terminology
  • The student is somewhat deficient in analyzing and discussing the specific data
  • The student is somewhat insecure regarding the ability to relate the topic to the drug discovery process and to other aspects of molecular pharmacology