Toxins, Toxicants & Toxicity

BIOL31602 Toxins, Toxicants & Toxicity 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 3 Katherine Hinchliffe Unit coordinator School of Biological Sciences School of Medical Sciences Pharmacy 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 This unit provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms by which toxic molecules cause damage and death. You will develop an understanding of the ways in which exposure to xenobiotics can cause adverse health effects, of how the toxic properties of certain compounds can be exploited for clinical and/or research benefit, and of the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel, safe therapeutic drugs. You will learn about the mechanisms of cell death, understand how toxic substances damage organs and body systems, be familiar with the concept of toxicity exploitation for beneficial reasons and understand the phenomenon of oxidative stress.  This unit provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms by which toxic molecules cause damage and death. You will develop an understanding of the ways in which exposure to xenobiotics can cause adverse health effects, of how the toxic properties of certain compounds can be exploited for clinical and/or research benefit, and of the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel, safe therapeutic drugs. You will learn about the mechanisms of cell death, understand how toxic substances damage organs and body systems, be familiar with the concept of toxicity exploitation for beneficial reasons and understand the phenomenon of oxidative stress. This course provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms by which toxic molecules cause damage and cell death. It will foster understanding of the ways in which exposure to xenobiotics can cause adverse health effects, of how the toxic properties of certain compounds can be exploited for clinical and/or research benefit, and of the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel, safe therapeutic drugs. On completion of the course, it is expected that students will be able to:• understand the concept of toxicity.• understand how reactive oxygen species are generated in living systems, and the consequences of oxidative stress.• describe the molecular mechanisms of cell death.• explain the mechanisms of action of example cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents and the unwanted toxic effects associated with their use.• understand the sensitivity of major body systems (the immune system, the nervous system and the cardiovascular system) and key organs (liver and kidney) to toxic molecules.• understand and be able to describe the concepts of Hazard and Risk from a toxicological perspective.• be familiar with the concept of the exploitation of toxicity for beneficial purposes.  Analytical skills Analysis of research papers in background reading. Online questions. Oral communication Students invited to answer and ask questions in lectures. Interactive feedback sessions on the coursework assignment and exam preparation. Problem solving Online short answer questions (not compulsory). Research Researching background information for essay plan template completion; background reading in support of lecture material. Written communication Submission of a detailed essay plan template as coursework. Essay writing in exam. • Free radicals and oxidative stress  • Mechanisms of cell death  • Toxicity towards major body systems (immune system, cardiovascular system and nervous system)  • Toxicity towards organs (kidney and liver)  • Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents  • Selective neurotoxins and their uses  • Hazard and risk assessment 1 Written exam 75% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 25% Coursework (completion of detailed essay planning template) 25%Exam 75%Students write one essay from a choice of four titles.    Feedback will be provided on anonymous responses to essay plan content provided in the coursework workshop.  Students will receive individual feedback on their assessed coursework.  An online discussion forum / padlet will be available.Feedback from answers to non assessed online short answer questions will be provided online.   BIOL21302 Clinical Drug Development Pre-Requisite Recommended N Loomis’s essentials of toxicology (5th Ed, 2020, Elsevier Academic Press). (Background).Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology (10th Ed, 2024, Elsevier Churchill Livingston) Chapters 10 and 58 (Background)Individual lecturers will provide reading lists to support the material covered in their lectures (recommended)  Assessment written exam 1.5 Lectures 18 0 80.5