BIO 274A@Pfizer

PHARMACOLOGY

Course Description

This course will focus on basic mechanisms of drug action at the cellular and organ system level. Factors influencing therapeutic drug effectiveness will be discussed, such as the various routes of drug administration and the importance of drug absorption, distribution and elimination. Drug targets at the molecular level will be examined via analyses of drug effects on receptors, enzymes, ion channels and carrier molecules. This course will differ from Bio 194B (offered by Dr. Patrick in 1995) in that Bio 274A will emphasize an organ system approach in analyzing the basis for drug therapeutic action.

The organ systems (and conditions) we will discuss include the cardiac system (cardiac arrhythmias, angina, congestive heart failure), the circulatory system (hypertension, anticoagulants), the respiratory system (asthma), the gastrointestinal system (ulcers), the endocrine system (diabetes), the inflammatory system (allergies, arthritis) and the central nervous system (pain, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders). The basic principles of chemotherapy (anticancer, antibacterial and antiviral agents) will also be discussed. Student evaluations will be via weekly quizzes and a take-home final exam. Prerequisites: Undergraduate level biochemistry or equivalent recommended.

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