DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY

BACKGROUND

Molecular pharmacology is a discipline concerned with the study of bio-molecular mechanisms
that underpin how drugs interact with living systems to alter function. It is a relatively new
discipline that focuses on cellular and molecular levels as sites of drug action and function.
Recent advances in the knowledge of cell and gene regulation, hormonal action, cell trafficking,
inflammation and other bio-molecular processes have spawned the development of novel drugs
for use in the therapy of a variety of diseases. The disease burden of developing countries such
as Kenya is heavy. Coupled to this is the high cost of treatment. Typical contributors to this
scenario include emerging infectious diseases and rapid development of resistance to current
drug therapies. This calls for concerted efforts to find home grown solutions. Knowledge of
molecular pharmacology is crucial for understanding and participating in research on the genetic
and biochemical mechanisms that underlie drug resistance in diseases such as tuberculosis,
malaria and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Moreover molecular pharmacology
techniques are applicable in investigations of therapies (both old and new) for non-
communicable conditions including: coagulopathies, diabetes and metabolic syndromes,
cardiovascular, renal diseases, oncological and neuro-psychiatric diseases among others. In
Kenya, a specialized cadre of scientists equipped with skills in molecular pharmacology is
therefore needed to contribute to innovative research that would lead to discovery of new
medicines or advance the understanding of biological phenomena.

OBJECTIVES

1. Analyze drug resistance and response to drug therapy using molecular markers.
2. Evaluate abnormal drug metabolism and toxicity.
3. Evaluate the biopharmaceutical equivalence of biologic medicines and vaccines.
4. Apply knowledge in molecular pharmacology to support disease diagnosis and management.
5. Design original research in molecular pharmacology and its application in drug discovery and drug development.  

PHILOSOPHY

Molecular pharmacology is a discipline concerned with the study of bio-molecular mechanisms that underpin how drugs interact with living systems to alter function. It is a relatively new discipline that focuses on cellular and molecular levels as sites of drug action and function. Recent advances in the knowledge of cell and gene regulation, hormonal action, cell trafficking, inflammation and other bio-molecular processes have spawned the development of novel drugs for use in the therapy of a variety of diseases. Molecular pharmacology principles and techniques are applicable in investigations of therapies for communicable and non-communicable diseases including infectious diseases, coagulopathies, diabetes and metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular, renal, oncological and neuro-psychiatric diseases among others.

RATIONALE

In Kenya, a specialized cadre of scientists equipped with skills in molecular pharmacology is needed to contribute to innovative research that would lead to development of new therapeutic and prophylactic approaches to communicable and non-communicable diseases; or advance the understanding and prevention of adverse reactions to drugs and vaccines. Graduates of the molecular pharmacology programme can find employment in research, academia and clinical settings. In the clinical settings they would be involved in: monitoring drug resistance and response to drug therapy using molecular markers; clinical pharmacogenetics, in the identification of biomarkers of abnormal drug metabolism and toxicity; the development and application of gene therapy, and the evaluation of therapeutic equivalence or bioequivalence of biologic medicines and vaccines.