534-311 Drug Development Techniques

Experiments involving the use of animals are an essential part of this subject; exemption is not possible.

534-301; exemption may be given at the discretion of the Head of Department.

The teaching program will introduce students to pharmacological techniques which may be used to evaluate the mechanism of action, as well as selectivity, of potential drug candidates both in vitro and in vivo. The aims are to understand some of the theoretical and practical aspects of preclinical drug development from selection of candidate molecule through to Phase I clinical trial. Students will work in pairs and each week rotate through a different advanced practical technique to assess the pharmacology of a coded drug. The lectures and tutorials will cover the theory and methods involved in each advanced technique which include behavioural pharmacology; in vitro preparations of cardiovascular, airway and urogenital tissues; surgical instrumentation; and assessment of cardiovascular and autonomic responses in vivo.

Students will gain skills in:

• rational enquiry and self-directed small group learning;

• oral and written communication;

• the design of pharmacological experiments;

• identification of an unknown drug based on their practical work; and

• the strengths and weaknesses of principal pharmacological techniques.

Weekly short written reports of up to five pages each due during the semester (60%); ongoing assessment of practical laboratory skills during the semester (10%); a 1-hour written examination in the examination period covering material presented in the lectures (30%).