Fall 2008

Virology - 21712 - BIOL 1560 - S02

Instructor: Peter R. Shank, Ph.D.

Course Description:
The emphasis of this course will be on understanding the molecular mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. It will begin with a general introduction to the field of virology and then focus on the biology of specific viruses that are associated with human disease. Lectures will be based on the current literature.

Core Curriculum Requirement: No

Syllabus: Click Here for PDF Download

Summer 2008

Pharmaceutics Delivery in Biological Systems - BIOL 2930Z

Instructor:Beth Zielinski, Ph.D.

Course Description:
Pharmaceuticals have traditionally been administered to patients via oral routes that rely on ingestion of tablets, appropriate degradation absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and transport to target tissues.  Many drugs are chemically unstable and are significantly degraded during the digestion and absorption processes.  Furthermore, once in the circulatory system, these drugs do not necessarily reach their intended physiological sites and are distributed throughout the entire body.  Advances in the formulations of chemical and protein-based therapeutic molecules and site-specific delivery systems have allowed for the development of targeted drug and protein therapies.  The immergence of advanced delivery technologies for drugs and most recently genes, for gene therapy, has catapulted site-specific drug, protein and gene therapies into the forefront of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical research, process development and manufacturing. 

Drug and Gene Delivery will address the historical perspectives and the science and technologies that form the basis of drug, protein and gene delivery systems.  Presentations and interpretations of these advances in the lay press will also be reviewed and discussed.  The therapeutic systems will be presented in the context of specific organ systems and associated pathophysiologies.  Topics for discussion will include drug and gene therapies for cardiovascular disease, hormone therapies, bone and cartilage related therapies and genetically-based vaccines.  The immerging areas of in utero and embryonic gene therapies will also be discussed.

This course meets at Pfizer, Inc. (on-site in Groton, CT)

Core Curriculum Requirement: No

Syllabus: Click Here for PDF Download

Archived Course information

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