PM2MDT: Molecular Drug Targets

Module code: PM2MDT

Module provider: Pharmacy; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Gary Stephens , email: g.j.stephens@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to Associated Pharmacy students. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will teach application of pharmacology to physiological systems from molecule to patient. A molecular, cellular and systems level approach to the study of drug action at different molecular drug targets towards treatment of disease that will develop from core skills introduced in Part 1 Principles of Drug Action. This module introduces students to concepts of pharmacology and integrates physiology, chemistry, therapeutics and practice with a focus on different classes of molecular drug targets, with a focus on their roles in renal, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Practical classes, interactive lectures and workshops will support pharmacological concepts. Science and practice concepts from all cognate disciplines that link to drug action on key molecular drug targets will be taught. These include: physiology and pathology of fundamental physiological systems, medicine development and delivery and medicines management. Together, these concepts will develop an understanding of key molecular drug targets and relevant pharmaceutical issues in a range of fundamental areas of drug and medicines use.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of how drugs act on specific molecular targets within fundamental physiological systems. This is set in the context of human renal, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and related drug action with strong integration of physiology themes taught during the first year. The module also provides the basis for further pharmacology modules taught in later years. To achieve that, the core science and practice concepts detailed in the summary above will be taught using an appropriate range of teaching activities.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Discuss the different classes of molecular targets of common drugs
2. Develop skills and knowledge of drug design and synthesis for drugs used to treat renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases
3. Discuss risks factors, aetiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, symptoms and appropriate pharmacological approaches of fundamental physiological systems
4. Improve team-working skills, such as leadership, motivating and working with others, and contribute to identifying the learning and development needs of team members through coaching and feedback
5. Improve self-directed learning

Module content

Drug action at different classes of molecular drug targets in human diseases of renal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems: lectures, interactive lectures, workshops, specialized seminars (delivered by external speakers from pharmaceutical industry and/or health care professionals) will provide an integrated understanding of applied pharmacology.

Different classes of drug targets

Renal diseases and therapeutics: Series of lectures that cover molecular drug targets in the renal system, aetiology and pathology of the major diseases of the kidneys, and formulations for drug delivery to the renal system. Activities will:

• Discuss the key drugs for the management of renal conditions with reference to the drug structure-activity relationship, stability and design for appropriate drug forms to deliver to target together with pharmacokinetics of drugs acting on the renal system
• Focus on molecular targets of drugs used to treat renal disease. Provide students with insights on dosage, form and delivery of drug.
• Respiratory diseases and therapeutics: Series of lectures that cover the molecular drug targets, aetiology and pathology of the major diseases of the respiratory tract, and formulations for drug delivery to the lung with practical. Activities will:
• Discuss the key drugs for the management of respiratory conditions with reference to the drug structure-activity relationship, stability and design for appropriate drug forms to deliver to target i.e., respiratory system.
• Focus on molecular targets of drugs used to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, community and hospital acquired pneumonia cough and cystic fibrosis.
• Provide an overview of pathogenesis and therapeutics of other respiratory diseases.
• Molecular drug targets in the cardiovascular system: series of lectures that cover the physiology, aetiology and pathology of the major diseases and condition affecting the cardiovascular system. Lectures and activities will:
• Discuss the key drugs for the management of cardiovascular conditions with integration to pharmaceutics and chemistry e.g., reference to the drug structure-activity relationship, stability and design for appropriate drug forms to deliver to target i.e. circulatory system.
• Focus on pharmacological management, drug effects and side effects, contraindication and interaction for medicines used to treat human diseases affecting the circulatory systems.
• Provide an overview of therapeutics of other cardiovascular conditions.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course content will be provided through a mixture of formal lectures, interactive workshops using appropriate case studies, interactive lectures, practical laboratory classes, inter-professional learning activities including seminars delivered by specialised pharmaceutical industry professionals, supported by tutorial sessions.

Teaching and learning will be facilitated using AD Instrument Lab Tutor hardware and software exercises. Supplementary information and reading list will be provided by the lecturers and the available facilities for computer-aided literature searching for related material will enable students to improve independent-learning skills.

Practical classes associated with the module will reinforce fundamental concepts of pharmacology that underpin therapeutics and pharmaceutics areas.

Study hours

At least 50 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment