Course Coordinator:

A/P Gavin S DAWE (phcdgs@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

The theme of this course is abnormal structure and function of the body. Pharmacology is taught in an integrated manner with 2 other disciplines, pathology and microbiology. It begins with a series of lectures on basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to lay the foundation for students to understand how the body handles drugs, and what drugs do to the body. Understanding patient-to-patient variability in drug response, and the principles of drug prescribing are important aspects of basic pharmacology that will be imparted. Adverse drug reactions and drug-drug as well as drug-food interactions are also taught in basic pharmacology. This foundational series will be followed by Systems pharmacology, which is taught in tandem with the topics taught in the other 2 disciplines, with relevant clinical correlations and examples. This series will cover the pharmacology of drugs that work on the autonomic nervous system and on the inflammatory pathways, and immune systems, including corticosteroids and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Knowledge of the pharmacology of drugs that work on other major systems – cardiorespiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems, including general and local anaesthetics – make up the bulk of the topics on systems pharmacology. A series on the pharmacology of antimicrobial drugs completes the didactic teaching syllabus. The Department also conducts 3 tutorials for the students – Mechanism of drug action, Drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system, and Drug bioequivalence – to reinforce their understanding of some aspects of the teaching curriculum.

Course Coordinator:

Dr Mitchell LAI Kim Peng (phclkpm@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

The course aims to help students gain in-depth understanding of a range of topics including: receptor biology, signal transduction, inflammation, autophagy, pharmacology of antivirals and neuropharmacology, using lectures and journal clubs given by clinical and basic science experts.

Course Coordinator:

Dr Alan Prem KUMAR (apkumar@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

The unique aspect of this course is that it allows students to meet successful members of the local biotechnology community. This course provides an opportunity to learn directly from industry leaders about commercially viable technologies, and about the job roles and their career transition from academia to industry. Students will experience the steps involved in taking a product from the research laboratory to the market, intellectual property rights and infringement, regulatory requirements, market competition and the use of real-world data in pharmaceutical industries. The course also provides students with an opportunity to “elevator pitch” their pharma business proposal to “stakeholders.”

Course Coordinator:

Dr Alan Prem KUMAR, (apkumar@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

Drug discovery and development has evolved dramatically over recent decades, and the field continues to advance today. More sophisticated approaches and models are being developed, new technology is being incorporated into the entire pipeline of development, and exciting drug modalities continue to emerge. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to a range of existing and emerging therapy modalities including how compounds are identified and developed. Students will have an overview on the mechanism of drug action, drug delivery and metabolism, drug candidate selection, pharmacokinetic data analysis, computer-aided drug discovery, biologics design, and product patenting. More importantly, students will engage in “role-play” activity to enhance their knowledge with application drug discovery, develop concepts and enable them to collaborate as a team in the activity.

Course Coordinator:

A/P Judy SNG Chia Ghee (phcsngj@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

This course aims to prepare students with the general principles and concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in humans. A sound understanding of these foundation principles, which constitute the scientific basis of therapeutics, will promote the safe and rational use of drugs in disease conditions.

The course will then progress to the study of the pharmacological properties of various classes of clinically useful drugs, starting with autonomic nervous system and general principles of antimicrobial use, and followed by cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems.

Course Coordinator:

A/P Judy SNG Chia Ghee  (phcsngj@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

The course is a study of pharmacological properties of various classes of clinically useful drugs. It is organized according to drugs acting on neurology, musculoskeletal, integumentary and endocrine systems. Antimicrobials for the treatment of infections and pain management drugs will also be included. The scientific basis of the therapeutic applications of these drugs will be demonstrated to the students, thus promoting the safe and rational use of drugs in clinical settings.

Course Coordinator:

Course Coordinator: Dr Alan Prem Kumar (apkumar@nus.edu.sg)

Course Co-coordinator: Dr Ho Wanxing Eugene (phchwe@nus.edu.sg)

Course Description:

Researchers and clinicians study disease biology and biochemistry to discover novel therapeutic targets, unravel biochemical pathways and identify biomarkers to improve diagnosis, or devise new approaches to clinically manage diseases more effectively. In all instances, the overall goal of biomedical research is to ensure that results thereof (such as a therapy, a device, or a method which may be broadly referred to as “inventions”) are clinically implemented. In the biomedical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical field, it is vital for researchers, scientists, clinicians, scientific managers, and innovation directors to appreciate the value of IP and patents to enable the effective generation, identification, protection and commercialization of innovation and IP. This Course introduces related topics in IP commercialization: technology transfer, patent filing, patent examiners’ insights, licensing, venture capital and entrepreneurship. Senior guest lecturers from the biomedical and life sciences industry will also share about industry relevant IP experiences. More importantly, students will engage in “role-play” activity that provides experiential “buying or licensing a patented technology” and enable them to collaborate as a team. The course also trains students to elevator pitch their “patented technology” to “venture capitalists.”