Drug sciences (pharmacology in the broad sense) encompass a range of disciplines, from chemistry to medicine, including various aspects of biology. Drug molecules are capable of modulating or correcting biological processes involved in different diseases. This effect results from chemical interactions, either weak or covalent. The responses to these interactions occur at various levels, ranging from the molecular level (e.g. conformational changes), to the cellular level (e.g. cell death), to the entire organism (e.g. decrease in body temperature), and even to the environment (e.g. emergence of new antibiotic resistance). We will focus on small organic or inorganic molecules, their mechanisms of action, their applications and fate within the body, as well as biological macromolecules such as proteins and therapeutic antibodies.
This course is jointly offered by the Department of Biology and the Department of Chemistry. The aim of this course is not only to introduce students to the sciences of drugs, but also to deepen their knowledge of the different stages of drug discovery and development.
This course requires some knowledge in chemistry and biology, but not to be already a specialist in these fields.
Language: English
