Aims

The aims of the course are to:

(i) Provide an understanding how drugs are handled by the body, the factors that may influence this process and how drug metabolism is studied experimentally.

(ii) Provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the role of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, pharmacokinetics and the enzymes of drug metabolism.

(iii)Introduce students to modern experimental methods commonly used in drug metabolism studies and to develop practical, critical and written communication skills. This will equip students with an appreciation of the role of studies on drug disposition in the drug development process.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus will be divided into four themes which cover drug disposition following administration, the role of individual enzymes systems in drug metabolism, factors affecting drug metabolism, and transport of drug metabolites out of tissues and excretion from the body. The syllabus will cover the principles of administration and distribution of drugs (including the influence of delivery systems and routes), the different enzyme systems involved in metabolism of drugs and how this process is modulated, the influence of genetic polymorphisms on drug efficacy and toxicity, experimental methods for reaction phenotyping employed in drug development, and how metabolites are effluxed from cells and tissues and excreted from the body. The syllabus also covers exemplar techniques for measuring key metabolic activities, the induction of enzyme activities and the detection of genetic polymorphisms in enzymes and the functional consequences of polymorphisms for drug metabolism.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will impart new information regarding fundamental principles and will act as an indication of the scope of material required for guided independent study.

Seminar sessions will reinforce taught material and will provide an opportunity for students to clarify concepts or challenge their learning through peer and staff discussions, as well as developing scientific writing skills and laboratory record keeping.

The drop-in surgery will provide critical feedback on assessed material and encourage an increased understanding of the material through discussion.

The practical class will provide experience in performing fundamental techniques, recording and analysing data to support the core module knowledge as well as the opportunity to carry out scientific calculations.

Guided independent study will be used for self-directed learning, including further reading and preparation for assessments.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The examination questions will be used to assess knowledge, independent learning and understanding of the material relevant to this module, the ability to integrate this material, the ability to communicate clearly in writing and ability for critical thought and problem solving.

The timed essay is used to assess knowledge and understanding of material and ability to integrate across sources.

The practical report ensures an understanding of practical work undertaken and provides practice in numerical calculations. The first two practicals provide formative practice in completing an effective laboratory record book.