Aims

The module is intended to provide students with an introduction to the biology of disease that is applicable to human science. It will:

• Develop understanding of fundamental concepts of aetiology, pathology and epidemiology which may be applied in further studies.
• Review the causes and effects of a range of significant diseases, especially those prevalent in the UK.
• Provide an opportunity for students to develop written and presentation skills.
• Provide an opportunity to take on self-directed research of relevant topics.

Module Content

• The nature of disease and pathology
• Tissue damage and cell death processes
• Basics of cancer biology, cancer detection and treatment
• Haematology (functions & dys-functions of the blood)
• Ageing and age related disease
• Cardiovascular disease and obesity
• Role of reactive oxygen species and cytokines in disease
• Pregnancy related complications.

Aims

This module aims to provide the student with an understanding of key biochemical concepts such as regulation of enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways (carbohydrate, protein and lipids), metabolic regulation, and pathological metabolism (including inherited metabolic diseases). The practical work aims to give students an opportunity to further investigate and reinforce knowledge of key lecture biochemical topics through practical sessions.

Module content

• Overview of metabolic regulation
• Carbohydrate metabolism
• Amino acid metabolism and the Urea cycle
• Lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism
• The pentose phosphate pathway and its role in red blood cells
• Methods of studying metabolism and metabolomics
• Rate controlling steps in metabolism
• Allosteric enzymes and covalent modification
• Metabolic control by hormones
• Whole body metabolism and the role of the liver
• Blood lipids in health and disease
• Inborn errors in metabolism
• Obesity and diabetes
• Metabolic related clinical case studies

Module Aim

• A detailed understanding of diagnostics and medicine in a clinical setting.
• An understanding of major diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions and treatment strategies.
• An appreciation of current research which underpins the evaluation and development of drugs in clinical and experimental settings.
• The module will communicate pharmacological and bioanalytical knowledge relevant to the Biomedical Scientists and Health Care Professional.  

Module Content

Review of the major disease processes and their descriptive terminology.

• Risk factors for, classification and aetiology of the major diseases (e.g. disorders of the immune system, organ dysfunction, cancer).

• Clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment interventions (medical and surgical) in the management of major diseases and disorders.

• Biochemical tests for selected disorders of organ function and human biochemistry.
• Interpretation of histological sections.

• Integration of physiological systems and their impact on disease progression and management, including monitoring of measurable outcomes.

• Specific classes of therapeutics, mode of action, distribution, metabolism, elimination.

Aims

To develop an understanding of regulatory issues, health and safety, and the application of academic knowledge in a pathology and general laboratory context.

Students will gain experience of applying and developing skills in an appropriate and relevant setting to make students increasingly responsible for their own learning and encourage them to value and evaluate learning through experience.

Module Content

Support lecture programme covering:

• Health & Safety (COSHH, SOPs, risk assessments)
• Professionalism
• Reflective practice
• Careers (opportunities and careers advice)
• Continued professional development 

The laboratory sessions will cover various pathology disciplines which may include :

• Clinical Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Immunology
• Medical Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics 

This modules is designed to complement MD5018-Diagnostics and Therapeutics and will provide students with a sound understanding of the basic principles of cellular communication; that is, the concept of receptors and how their interaction with endogenous ligands and synthetic drugs/poisons is measured. Approximately 50% of the module will cover key aspects in pharmacokinetics, which are pivotal in determining dose, dosage, and dosage form to administer, as well as introducing concepts that will be expanded at level 6 in MD6035, MD6036, and MD6037.

Module content

General pharmacology and toxicology

• Definitions and aims
• Experimental methods
• Data acquisition and extrapolation
• Mathematical models

Pharmaco- and toxicodynamics

• Drug/receptor interaction
• Dose/response curves
• Principles of cell signalling

Pharmaco- and toxicokinetics

• Introduction to ADME processes 
• Biotransformations          
• PKPD models
• Dose and dosage calculations

Overview of dosage forms

The module will cover medicinal chemistry and the role in natural product discovery as medicinal products. The history of medicinal plants and their status globally and the components of natural products (morphine, taxol, antibiotics, and other famous drugs derived from natural products) will be studied extensively. Ethnopharmacological concepts, remedies and phytotherapy, and challenges that currently exist and the basics of pharmacognosy and the techniques used with respect to natural products will be considered in this module. This will also entail the understanding of different methods of plant preparation, extraction and characterization techniques: Chromatography, UV- Visible spectroscopy, NMR. Throughout the course, students will engage in practical sessions that progress from extraction, identification, qualitative analysis of molecules and secondary metabolites to culminate in a presentation.

• This module is designed to complement MD5018 and MD5029 and will provide students with a sound understanding of the basic principles of medicinal chemistry.
• The module also aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the aspects of preparation, extraction, and synthesis of natural products.
• Introduce the students to the idea of structure-activity relationship by analysing the molecular properties of natural compounds and their pharmacologic activity, as well as explaining the key (bio)synthetic steps involved in their production.
• These principles are transferable to other areas of chemistry and pharmacology and will be pivotal in the Level 6 module MD6035-Drug discovery and design.