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Title
Special Topics
Code
PYM32
Level
7
Credit rating
20 credits
Prerequisites
Level 3 modules (MPharm programme)
Type
Extensive/intensive
Aim
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Learning outcomes
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
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Content
To provide students with the opportunity to pursue relevant
areas of personal interest and, at the same time, be presented
with an academic challenge.
demonstrate appreciation of the scientific/professional
significance of the chosen areas of study.
critically review, consolidate and extend a systematic and
coherent body of knowledge.
display mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge
and skills.
In this module students will study two topics each comprising 26
hours theory supported by 44 hours of directed, independent study.
Topics will be grouped and students will select one topic from each
of two groups, they will thus be able to specialise in one aspect of
pharmacy, for example drug discovery, or maintain a diverse
interest. Within the constraints imposed, students will be allowed a
free choice as to which modules they study although for operational
reasons, will operate with a maximum permitted number of
students. If necessary, or if requested, students will be counselled
with respect to their choice. Academic performance in earlier parts
of the programme of study will be taken into account when
allocating the topics to be studied.
Theory
The outline theory of some sample topics is summarised below.
New topics will be introduced as dependent on staff expertise.
Disease processes research group
Ion channels and disease
Extracellular and intracellular ligand-gated and voltage-gated
channels. Analysis of experimental observations relative to ion
channel structure and function. Ion channels and excitable tissue,
ion channels and fast synaptic transmission, the role of ion channels
in disease processes. Ion channel cloning. Modification of ion
channel function by drugs and toxins.
Psychopharmacology
The role of neurotransmitters in human and animal behaviour.
Animals as models of human behaviour; their advantages and
disadvantages. Drugs used in the treatment of human psychiatric
disorders; their screening in animal models, the possible
relationships between drug responses in animals and humans.
Disorders of neurotransmitter function and their possible
relationship to psychiatric and cognitive disorders in humans.
Interaction between drugs used in psychiatry and neurotransmitter
systems; possible mechanisms of action. Strategies for drug
development.
Drug handling
This topic will embrace the principles drug handling by the human
body in health and disease. It will build on the foundations of
pharmacokinetics delivered earlier in the course. The module will
consider:
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advanced pharmacokinetic models.
influence of age on drug handling.
the influence of disease on pharmacokinetic processes.
drug clearance via artificial organ.
pharmacogenetic influences on drug metabolism.
Microbiology research group
Microbial biofilms
Definitions and characteristics of biofilms; their occurrence in nature
and their importance in a pharmaceutical and medical context.
Biofilm-associated infections. Stages in the formation of biofilms and
factors influencing their initiation and development: the
susceptibility of inanimate and living tissue substrates to biofilm and
microcolony growth. The effects of antibiotics and biocides on
planktonic and biofilm organisms and the mechanisms by which
biofilms resist antimicrobial chemotherapy and the immune system.
Strategies for the prevention and treatment of biofilm-associated
infections and the avoidance or eradication of biofilms in an
industrial setting.
Biomedical materials research group
Bioimplants and medical device technologies
The role of biomedical devices and bioimplants including ocular
implants, orthopaedic devices, cardiovascular devices, urological
devices, wound dressings and extracorporal devices. This will
include considerations of:
• biomaterials including types of materials, physical and chemical
properties and processing.
• the factors affecting biofunctionality of materials including
surface energy, protein conditioning, surface rugosity,
manufacturing technology and biofilm formation.
• the assessment of biofunctionality: in vitro assays such as protein
deposition; cellular adherence; complement activation and
granulocyte activation; in vivo assays including British Standards
and implantation tests; ex-vivo assays including assessment of
cytokine release, complement activation and fibrin formation.
• the surface modification of biomaterials including plasma
technology, UV irradiation, physical adsorption and direct
chemical functionalisation.
• the surface characterisation of biomaterials: including AFM, XPS,
SEM, EDAX, and DCA.
• the role of new generation biomaterials including hydrogel,
biomimetic, PEO and heparin technologies.
The topic will be supported throughout by reference to clinically
relevant examples.
Molecular mechanisms and design research group
Bioorganic chemistry
The isolation of secondary metabolites and the use of preparative
biotransformations have fundamental importance in the discovery
and development of new drug actives. This module enables the
student to get hands on experience of microbiological
transformation, metabolite isolation and structural determination
through the application of advanced spectroscopic techniques.
Comparison is made between classical in vitro organic reaction
mechanisms and their biosynthetic counterparts. A wide range of
biocatalysts from isolated enzymes to whole cell systems are
illustrated. Their synthetic utility in the pharmaceutical industry
with respect to drug functionalisation at chemically inert positions
and use in chiral selectivity and modification is discussed. The
module also covers biosynthesis, the function of metabolic enzymes
and their use in isolated biocatalytic systems such as models of
mammalian metabolism. This module has strong emphasis on
problem solving.
New medicinal products from inception to market
This topic is intended to provide an insight into the infrastructure,
operations and key objectives of pharmaceutical research and
development.
The overriding objective of any pharmaceutical R & D project is
driven by commercial and economical motivation to introduce new,
safe and effective medicines onto the market. Many scientific
disciplines input into various stages of the process which may
broadly be categorised under the headings of drug discovery,
involved with identification of a new chemical entity (NCE) of
potential therapeutic value and the development phase, which may
very simply be described as conversion of the NCE into candidate
drug for development and then into a registered, marketable
product. Integration, technology transfer and feedback between each
phase is critical for success.
In the current climate of increased commercial and economical
pressures to improve productivity within this sector of the
pharmaceutical industry, the topic aims to address these issues by
specifically focusing upon technological innovations in drug
discovery, strategies for successful drug development and product
optimisation and the practice of pharmacoeconomics in order to
ensure cost-effective medicines.
Practice of pharmacy research group
Quantitative and qualitative problem-solving in business studies
Introduction to Management Science; the internal and external
environments, situational analysis, strategy formulation, systems,
processes. Operations Research (inventory control models, Markov
analysis, decision trees, simulation, PERT-CPM, waiting lines, linear
programming (graphical approach and Simplex methods).
Introduction to the Mathematics of Finance: simple and compound
interest, ordinary simple annuities, amortization and sinking funds,
bonds and depreciation. Introductions to Human Resource
Management and Organisational Behaviour; organisational models,
how organisations work, change management, motivation, problem
solving on the micro-and macro scale.
Health care ethics
This special topic builds on the work covered in Advanced
Professional Studies (PYM34) where the practical applications of
moral theories are considered. Moral theories will be studied in
depth and how these moral concepts can provide a framework for
the analysis of moral issues that arise in the healthcare context. The
aim of this topic is to provide an appreciation of the role and scope of
critical moral thinking in the practice of healthcare.
Medicinal plants and their uses
Plant classification and nomenclature. The Linnaean system of
nomenclature for species and hybrids. Priority and reference
herbaria. Primary and secondary metabolites. The major 2°
metabolic pathways and examples of the products of these pathways.
Elucidation of 2° metabolic pathways. Polyketides, isoprenoids,
shikimates and alkaloids and important pharmacological and
medicinal examples of these biochemical types. Variability in crude
drugs. Factors inherent in the plant itself - genetics, polyploidy,
chemical races and strains. Environmental factors. Climate and
geographical location, temperature, water, soil, light, altitude, stress.
Processing factors. Collection, harvesting, processing, storage.
Quality control of plant products, Adulteration, contamination,m
infestation. Methods of quality control. Physical, chemical and
morphological. Instrumental, chemical, chromatographic,
macroscopic and microscopic. Dosage forms for medicinal plants.
Oral dosage forms - tablets, capsules, soft gelatine capsules. Liquid
dosage forms and methods used to produce them - maceration,
percolation, infusion, decoction, tinctures, vinegars, aromatic water,
syrups, spirits, linctuses, draughts, elixirs, infused oils. Topical
dosage forms - creams, ointments, infused oils, compresses,
poultices, lotions. Other dosage forms - steam inhalations, pessaries
and suppositories.
Drug discovery. Classic plant drugs - morphine, quinine, atropine,
hyoscine, etc. Recent drugs from plants - taxol, artemisinin,
vincristine. Semi-synthetic drugs from plants - etoposide, heroin.
Research tools - TPA, channel blockers. Lead compounds.
Approaches to drug discovery, screening, properties of an ideal
screen.
Current medicinal plants with interesting activities. Ginkgo,
Echinacea, Valerian, Feverfew.
Legislation and regulation relating to medicinal plants, their sale and
use.
Teaching and
learning strategies
The teaching strategies employed in the delivery of this module will
be varied and will depend upon the individual topic being studied.
The strategies will include lectures, seminars, workshops, problembased learning. The guided study will consist of developing an
appreciation of the current literature relevant to the topics being
studied. Students will also be directed to attend those research
seminars held within the University which are relevant to their
particular special topic.
Learning support
The learning support for this module will consist of research papers
and review articles appropriate to the subject being investigated.
Assessment
Two 2 hour unseen written examinations with essay questions.
PGDip Pharmacy candidates are only permitted to attempt questions
from the topics which they have studied.
Brief description of module
This module enables students to develop their own personal interests
in relevant and appropriate topics while being presented with an
academic challenge.
Area Examination Boards
MPharm Special Topics and Project
Module authors
Dr G W J Olivier, Mr M J Ingram
Semester offered
1 and 2 (Stage 4)
Date of first approval
January 2003
Version number
4
Date of approval of this
version
July 2005
Replacement for previous
module
PY424
Course(s) for which module
is acceptable and status in
course
MPharm. Compulsory. PGDip Pharmacy. Mandatory.
School home
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
External examiner
All external examiners