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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 • Learning outcomes On completion of this module the student should be able to: • • • 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: 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