BPS3132 Toxicology

This unit will introduce students to fundamental concepts of toxicology, from the absorption of toxins to their distribution toward and away from target tissues and mechanisms underlying toxic effects. Prominent examples of accidental and intentional poisoning will be discussed in terms of the physiological and pharmacological effects of these toxins, especially in regard to target specificity. Mechanisms of toxicity, such as free radical toxication, will be discussed to explain unwanted toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs. This will be complemented by an examination of cellular protection mechanisms, including antioxidant protection, excretion and elimination. The final section of this unit will involve a comparison of different models used to predict drug toxicity, from cultured cells to zebrafish to rodents, in terms of their versatility and reliability. Students will undertake a research project to investigate cellular responses to toxin exposure.