Aims

The aims of the module are to give a broad understanding in Toxicology, from basic concepts and molecular mechanisms to a review of target organ toxicities, pre-clinical and clinical pharmaceutical toxicology testing. The module will provide a broad overview of Toxicology as it is applied in the Pharmaceutical industries.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will consider:

1. Basic concepts in Toxicology, (type of toxic response/factors affecting toxicity)

2. Toxicokinetics (ADME/toxicokinetic parameters)

3. Xenobiotic metabolism (phase I/II)

4. Molecular mechanisms (oxidative stress, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, epigentics)

5. Necrosis

6. Apoptosis

7. Non-genotoxic carcinogenesis

8. Target organ toxicity (liver, kidney, skin, immune, neuro, lung)

9. Compound safety – pharmaceuticals – pre-clinical

10. Compound safety – pharmaceuticals – clinical trials

11. Idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions

12. Mechanism-based risk assessment

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A grounding in the fundamental tenets of Toxicology will be provided by the lectures and through guided private study of course texts, additional suggested materials during the course and through attendance of research seminars. Critical appraisal will be covered in a seminar and essay feedback. Communication of toxicological data will be covered in tutorials and feedback on their presentations.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written exam will test the students’ knowledge base in toxicology and as a key component forms the majority of the assessment marks. Critical appraisal of toxicological data and presentational skills will be tested by both the 3000 word essay and oral presentation. The significant amount of time required for these tasks warrants the 40% of assessment marks.