Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

Students wishing to graduate in MRes Translational Medicine & Therapeutics must undertake this module and the module MMB8005 (Experimental Medicine & Therapeutics.
All other MRes students may enrol on this module if they wish - timetable permitting

Aims

To develop a cohort of learners who have a detailed and practical understanding of the drug discovery and development process and the necessary actions needed to take a basic science concept and translate it into a first in man study of a potential drug. To situate the learning within UK regulatory and the research governance framework.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module covers the following topics, delivered through a series of lectures and formative assessments delivered through e-learning, supported by weekly interactive face-to-face seminars.

Pharmacokinetics (Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination)
Pharmacodynamics (Mechanisms of drug action)
Target identification and target validation
Screening and hits
Molecular biology underpinning drug discovery
Optimising molecules
Pre-clinical studies
Toxicology
Clinical Trial Authorisation / First-in-man studies

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

•       Describe the drug discovery and development process and it’s place in the research governance framework
•       Evaluate and critically appraise the effectiveness of the drug discovery and development process and show an awareness of market challenges and IP (intellectual property)
•       Summarise the methods used to identify and validate drug targets
•       Discuss the screening of compounds for activity against targets
•       Give an overview of the various stages of optimisation that a hit must go through to eventually become a clinical candidate
•       Describe the pre-clinical assessments required for clinical trial authorisation
•       Summarise the clinical phases of drug development

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

•       Interact and communicate effectively with academic and industrial colleagues working on drug discovery and development projects
•       Critically appraise and interpret pre-clinical data ahead of regulatory submission and suggest whether the candidate molecule should proceed to clinical studies
• Communicate complex knowledge and ideas clearly in both oral and written format

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module is taught by a flipped classroom approach in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Core theoretical content will be provided by e-learning via Canvas and will provide a framework on which to construct further learning. Weekly interactive seminars will involve collaborative, problem based activities and tasks that will encourage students to activate and build on the previous week’s learning and facilitate deeper learning through social interaction - this key module feature is to allow learners to develop practical knowledge, skills and attitudes that can be applied in practice and future careers. Seminars also provide an opportunity to develop other skills including interpersonal and oral communication, collaboration and information literacy.

Private study is used for self-directed learning including further reading, preparation for the seminars, undertaking a piece of written coursework and preparing for examinations. This will allow the learners to develop skills in locating and appraising appropriate literature.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written reports will test achievement of the stated intended knowledge and skills outcomes and ability to apply these skills to a specific case study. The oral presentation will test their ability to present and defend a therapeutic strategy.

General Notes

N/A