NS 6110

Molecular Toxicology

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2017-2018.

Course provides a comprehensive overview of molecular toxicology with emphasis on human health outcomes. The course features target-organ toxicity resulting from exposures to particular environmental and consumer product chemicals, pesticides, and drugs. Important toxicity endpoints are emphasized including genotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and carcinogenesis. Specific topics include metabolic pathways of drugs and environmental chemical toxicity; chemical and radiation-induced DNA damage, mutations, and carcinogenesis; oncogene-mediated activation of signaling pathways in carcinogenesis; discovery of novel targeted drugs for aggressive cancers; metal and pesticide-induced neurotoxicity. Students gain experience in critical analysis of published toxicology studies. 

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: juniors, seniors, and graduate students. 
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: Biochemistry.

• Demonstrate understanding of different classes of chemical toxicants and drugs including their metabolic and signaling pathways that lead to either detoxification or, in some cases, to bioactivation to mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolites.
• Know and understand how toxicity of drugs and environmental chemicals is established through appropriately designed studies employing the most modern techniques.
• Be able to locate, recognize, and evaluate reliable published research concerning the toxicity of different types of toxicants including clinically used drugs, environmental pollutants, and consumer product chemicals.
• Communicate effectively through an oral presentation, as well as in a written report, the results of recent research studies concerning mechanisms of toxicity for particular drugs or environmental and consumer product chemicals.
• Locate and evaluate recent research studies and concerning results of clinical trials of anti-cancer drugs that were developed based on knowledge of specific oncogenic mutations and signaling pathways.

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