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SL22020: Molecular Pharmacology

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 15 [equivalent to 30 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 300
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWRI 20%, EXCB 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • MCQ/SAQ (EXCB 80%)
  • Report Individual (CWRI 20%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take SL12010 OR take SL12122 OR take SL12123
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit, students will be able to:
  • Identify a variety of receptor families and outline their mechanism of activation and links to intracellular pathways.
  • Describe the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and aberrations in these mechanisms and processes which lead to disease.
  • Justify the use of recombinant DNA technology as a research tool and to produce pharmaceutical products.
  • Discuss the properties and potential of stem cells.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the molecular techniques used to model and study disease pathology and investigate the pharmacology of therapeutic agents.
  • Apply knowledge of signalling mechanisms to analyse and interpret data from a range of molecular techniques.
  • Present experimental data in good scientific style.



Synopsis: Advance your knowledge of the pathways and mechanisms which regulate cellular activation and function and how aberrations can lead to disease. Explore the use of recombinant DNA technology and other molecular techniques as research tools to establish disease models and for the development of novel therapeutics. Develop experimental skills required to execute and report pharmacological investigations. Develop your skills in the presentation of experimental data in a good scientific style.

Content: Receptor families, second messenger systems, protein and lipid kinases and their phosphorylation targets. Impact of signalling pathways on nuclear events including regulation of gene expression through transcription factor binding. Genetic mutations, oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and the control of cell growth. Principles of cell culture and methods to assess drug action of cell behaviour. Methods to examine protein expression, interactions, and post-translational modifications DNA cloning and the use of vectors, including plasmids and viral vectors. Manipulation of DNA including the use of restriction enzymes, DNA sequencing, hybridisation techniques, polymerase chain reaction. Stem cells and molecular techniques - RNAi and gene therapy.

Course availability:

SL22020 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB13 : BSc(Hons) Pharmacology (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB13 : BSc(Hons) Pharmacology with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM13 : MPharmacol(Hons) Pharmacology with professional placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.