PC2001 - Molecular Basis of Therapeutics 2
| Credit points: | 03 |
| Year: | 2015 |
| Student Contribution Band: | Band 2 |
| Administered by: | College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences |
Available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Pharmacy.
This subject introduces the regulatory systems in cells and organisms which form the basis for pharmacology. It builds on the material covered in the two 1st semester subjects BC2013 and BC2014, by addressing how multicellular organisms can control and integrate their metabolic processes and how cells interrelate and communicate with each other. It also shows how disturbances in these processes cause disease and how these pathogenic processes can be normalized by therapeutic drugs. The subject begins with detailed descriptions of the molecular structure and function of biological membranes. Transport across or within biomembranes is an important feature that underpins our understanding of how proteins and drugs move between cells and within a cell. This is the basis of regulation at the metabolic pathway level and is important in understanding the mode of action of many drugs. The subject explores the functions of enzymes, how they work at the molecular level and how inhibitors may interfere with their action. Regulation at the cellular level is explored in detail, examining how signals are communicated at the cell surface to invoke downstream intracellular molecular events, how nerve cells communicate and how cell surface receptors interact with agonists and antagonists. This includes examples of specific molecular ligand-receptor interactions both clinically and those that have been exploited in drug development. Also covered are the major cellular processes, the cell cycle and cell death. Therapeutic and vaccine failure in modern day drug discovery & delivery is explored. This course of lectures should therefore give you a balanced view of how cells are controlled, how they communicate with each other and how chemical agents are able to alter cellular processes.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the structure and function of membranes and how they carry out their role in regulating the internal environment;
- Underdtand the role of cell-surface receptors and gated ion channels in transmembrane signalling;
- Underdtand the nature of chemical communication within the body, including the biosynthesis, release and recycling of chemical messengers;
- Understand the role of enzymes in cellular regulation and how inhibitors can be used to influence the enzyme-substrate interaction and the rate of the catalyzed reaction;
- Understand the variety of molecules involved in neurotransmission, their synthesis, release and mechanism of activity;
- Understand the basic processes whereby cells divide and how they die (apoptosis);
- Understand how functional proteins, that is receptors, ion channels, enzymes and carrier molecules, represent a major target for the action of pharmaceutical agents;
- Develop skills in scientific literature research;
- Develop skills in science communication;
- Develop skills in laboratory and analytical skills.
| Prerequisites: | CH1001 and PC1005 |
| Inadmissible Subject Combinations: | BC2024 and PP3150 |
Availabilities | |
| Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2 | |
| Census Date 27-Aug-2015 | |
| Coordinator: | Dr Elecia Johnston |
| Lecturers: | Mr Ray Layton, Miss Shruti Saptarshi, Dr Anupama Bangra Kulur, Dr Fiona Baird. |
| Contact hours: |
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| Assessment: | end of semester exam (60%); assignments (40%). |
Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.