Drug Development, Pharmacokinetics and Imaging



Overview

The Drug Development, Pharmacokinetics and Imaging module is a one-week module of the MSc in Experimental and Translational Therapeutics programme. Offered by the Department of Oncology and the Department for Continuing Education, the module will be led by Dr Emma Mead, and will feature face-to-face lectures and tutorials from some of Oxford's leading clinicians and scientists.

The module can also be taken as a stand-alone short course. It includes group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers.

For more information about what the course includes and how to apply please see below.

Please send me an email about future Drug Development, Pharmacokinetics and Imaging courses.

This five-day course touches on the basic principles of designing and identifying new drug molecules improving their properties, and monitoring their effect in cellular model systems and in vivo. The course comprises principles of medicinal chemistry, structural biology, structure-based design, in vitro and cell based screening technology, as well as principles of pharmacokinetics and optimisation of drug in vivo properties.

The course also covers aspects of target validation and identification. Finally it explores several state-of-art imaging technologies, aiming to assess the drug distribution and activity as well as to gain a broader view of disease pathology.

The Pharmacokinetics and Drug Therapy course will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about and discuss the following topics:

  • Introduction to pharmacokinetics; absorption, distribution, elimination
  • Single intravenous and oral dose kinetics
  • Multiple oral dose kinetics, bioavailability and dosage regimens
  • The role of PK in drug development and regulatory approval
  • Screening and target validation strategies
  • Rational drug design using protein structures
  • Principles of medicinal chemistry and modulation of drug properties
  • Using non-invasive imaging to assess clinical response
  • Illustration of the drug development process using case studies

 

What do students say about the course?

 

'Allows students the opportunity to expand knowledge into drug development of trial design' 

Dr Harry Petropoulos, Junior Doctor, UK

 

'The course was highly informative, with a high volume of knowledge'

Osama Abu Tabar, Clinical Staff Pharmacist - United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi

Programme details

This course can be taken:

 

Venue

We anticipate that this course will be held at the Department for Continuing Education premises in Oxford - either at Rewley House, Wellington Square, or at our Ewert House location in Summertown. The location will be confirmed later in the academic year.

Certification

Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the assessed work required for academic credit but who do satisfy the course attendance requirements will receive a certificate of attendance. The sample above is an illustration only, and the wording will reflect the course and dates attended.

Those successfully completing the course for credit can request a CATS point transcript.

Fees

Description Costs
Award students - 22-23 start and earlier £2475.00
Award students - 23-24 start £2570.00
Standalone fee for 2024-25 £3175.00

Funding

Potential sources of funding for courses in Experimental and Translational Therapeutics.

Details of funding opportunities including grants, bursaries and scholarships are available on our sources of funding page.

Payment

The course fee includes:

  • Tuition
  • Course materials
  • Refreshments and lunch on each day of the course
  • Access to the following University of Oxford libraries and services:
    • Radcliffe Science Library
    • Rewley House Continuing Education Library
    • Bodleian Libraries e-Resources
  • Access to facilities from the Department for Continuing Education, including:
    • The Graduate School
    • WebLearn virtual learning environment
    • Wi-fi access through Oxford Wireless LAN (OWL).

Course aims

The course has been designed to:

  • enable students to understand the basic principles of modern drug design
  • enable students to understand principles of protein structural biology and its role in rational ligand design
  • enable students to design experiments to monitor drug/inhibitor action in vitro, in cell based systems and in vivo

The course will offer the opportunity to discuss the following topics:

  • Introduction to pharmacokinetics; absorption, distribution, elimination
  • Single intravenous and oral dose kinetics
  • Multiple oral dose kinetics, bioavailability and dosage regimens
  • The role of PK in drug development and regulatory approval
  • Screening and target validation strategies
  • Rational drug design using protein structures
  • Principles of medicinal chemistry and modulation of drug properties
  • Using non-invasive imaging to assess clinical response
  • Illustration of the drug development process using case studies

Teaching methods

The module will be led by Prof Paul Brennan, and will feature talks from guest lecturers leading these areas of research, and there will be significant time programmed to discuss the scientific and sometimes ethical issues raised by this area of medical research.

The module includes practical sessions, group work, discussions, guest lectures, and interaction and feedback with tutors and lecturers.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on submission of a set written assignment, not exceeding 4,000 words. The assessment is only undertaken by those taking the course for academic credit.

Academic credit

Those wishing to may apply to take the course with accreditation. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for the course. Participants attending at least 75% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS-equivalent points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Application

Application deadline: two weeks before the commencement of the course.

This course requires you to complete the online application form (please press the 'Apply' button in the top right pane) and submit a copy of your CV as an attachment as part of your application. 

If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also need to complete section two of the reference form and forward it to your referee for completion, to return to expther@conted.ox.ac.uk. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.

Level and demands

The course will appeal to health professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including qualified doctors, especially specialist registrars in clinical pharmacology or in training for other medical sub-specialities; clinical research fellows; pharmacists; nurses; graduates working in the pharmaceutical industry or in academic clinical trials.

Selection criteria

To apply for this short course you should:

  • be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
  • have experience in a health-related field
  • demonstrate a suitable level of English (if this is not your first language).

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

IT requirements

This course uses the Department’s online assignment submission system and online courseware. In order to participate in the course, and to prepare and submit your course assignments you will need access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification. Students of this course may use the student computing facilities provided in Departmental buildings.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support