Unit information: Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies in 2014/15

Unit name	Receptor signalling and non-drug therapies
Unit code	PHPH30003
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Usowicz
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	PHAR20001 Principles of Pharmacology 2A PHAR20002 Principles of Pharmacology 2B
Co-requisites	20 cp Concepts and Skills (pharmacology) 20 cp Pharmacology of ion channels and synaptic transmission 20 cp Pharmacology of the nervous system 40 cp Pharmacology Introduction to Industrial study (MSci) 80 cp Pharmacology Industrial Study (MSci) 40 cp Pharmacology Research project (BSc/BSc with SiI) 40 cp Pharmacology Research proposal (MSci)
School/department	School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students study advanced topics covering receptor signalling, so as to learn how different types of metabotropic receptors (including G-protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases) and intracellular receptors generate their effects, by the modification of levels of intracellular messengers and modification of trafficking of receptor proteins into and out of the cell membrane. The Unit also covers the roles of many of these receptors in the function and dysfunction of cardiovascular disease, and the use of drugs acting at these receptors in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Novel therapies for disease that are not based around small molecules (such as gene manipulation) are also discussed.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the relevant field.
• The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
• The ability to integrate information from multiple sources and disseminate it in written accounts.
• An understanding of the importance of specialist metabotropic receptor pharmacology and of the development of novel therapies.

Teaching Information

Lectures

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through an in-course essay (1000 words) (10%) and one 3 hour examination in May/June (90%).

Reading and References

Reviews and primary articles from the current scientific literature (updated by individual lecturers on an annual basis).