Life Sciences

Molecular Neuropharmacology

Module code: C7128
Level 6
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture
Assessment modes: Coursework, Computer based exam

A molecular understanding of human health and disease and the mode of action of drugs is crucial for the development of new drugs with improved potency and reduced side effects. It also underpins the development of personalised medicine, which is about giving the right treatment to the right people at the right time and is a move away from ‘one size fits all’ approach to the treatment of patients with a particular condition.

On this module, you'll cover all the aspects of the drug discovery process and discuss the challenges of improving drug treatment of example diseases with an unmet medical need.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of drug action (i.e., the concepts of agonism, antagonism, inverse agonism and allosteric modulation)
• Understand the role of basic science in elucidating disease mechanisms and in the characterization and validation of drug targets.
• Understand the drug discovery process, from the earliest stages of preclinical studies through clinical trials to FDA/MHRA approval.
• Understand how drug discovery has progressed for specific diseases and appreciate the challenges that need to be overcome to improve treatment of diseases with an unmet medical need.