Description
Molecular Pharmacology is designed to provide core material on the structure and function of neurotransmitter and hormone receptors and the quantitative aspects of the action of drugs at these receptors. The molecular nature of receptors is considered in detail and a critical and quantitative approach to the analysis and interpretation of pharmacological data beginning with the physical chemical principles which underlie drug-receptor interactions is developed.Ìý
Formal lectures will be supplemented by a radioligand binding data analysis assignment and either sodium channel block data analysis or (for Level-7 students) an introductory bioinformatics exercise.Ìý
On completion of the module, students should be able to:Ìý
1) Use the Law of Mass Action to quantify the interaction of drugs and receptors.Ìý
2) Understand the action of agonists, antagonists and allosteric modulator drugs and the concept of efficacy.Ìý
3) Demonstrate advanced knowledge of ion channel receptor function, regulation and blockÌý
4) Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the structure and function of transporters, ion channel receptors and G protein-coupled receptorsÌý
5) Demonstrate advanced understanding of radioligand binding.Ìý
The module is a core module for BSc/MSci Pharmacology students and an option for Natural Sciences, Neurosciences and Biomedical Sciences students and for students in related degree programmes (including affiliate students). It is assumed that students taking the module will have studied aspects of physiology and biochemistry for at least two years at University level. Ìý
Indicative lecture list (based on 2023/24 syllabus)Ìý
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Receptors, early ideas, concentration-response curvesÌý
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Agonist Efficacy (4 lectures)Ìý
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Single Molecule ConceptsÌý
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Constitutive ActivityÌý
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Bioinformatics IntroductionÌý
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Drug Antagonism and allosteric modulators (3 lectures)Ìý
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Radioligand Binding (2 lectures)Ìý
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PET and SPECTÌý
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Uptake TransportersÌý
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Rates of Drug ActionÌý
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Channel BlockersÌý
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7TM domain Receptor Structure-FunctionÌý
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CFTR and ABC Transporter Structure-FunctionÌý
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LGIC Receptor Structure-FunctionÌý
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Receptor Pharmacology in Drug DiscoveryÌý
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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