Cellular Communication and Pharmacology

The mechanism of action of drugs is based on interaction with a target cell structure in the body, leading to the modulation of its functioning. This course unit therefore has two main components. The^first component aims to raise students' awareness of the different modes of cellular communication, the different chemical messengers, their targets, and their modes of action. The second part will aim to provide students with basic knowledge of pharmacology, i.e., understanding how drugs work and what happens to them in the body. To this end, the concepts of pharmacodynamics (ligand-receptor interaction, dose-response relationship) and pharmacokinetics (ADME: absorption-distribution-metabolism-excretion) will be covered. In addition, drug targets, their intracellular signaling, and their therapeutic indications will be discussed.

- understand the different modes of cellular communication, the different chemical messengers and their cellular targets, as well as the main intracellular signaling pathways

- understand the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

- know how to address a problem and independently carry out the various stages of an experimental process

- know how to analyze and synthesize data for use

- know how to interpret experimental data or analyze a research document