Module Specifications..
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
Please note that this information is subject to change.
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Repeat examination |
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Description Module Aims: The aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of neurotherapeutics and cardiovascular therapeutics, including the underlying physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and clinical aspects. Key biotherapeutics isolated from a variety of natural sources - human, animal, or microorganisms and produced by biotechnology methods and other cutting-edge technologies will be addressed including gene-based biologics and extracellular vesicles (EVs). The module will cover a range of topics including the molecular and cellular basis of nervous and cardiovascular system diseases, the development of new biotherapeutics treatment options, and the clinical application of these therapies. Module Outcomes: By the end of this module, students will be able to: • LO1: describe the key features of the nervous system and of the cardiovascular system and the interplay between these systems. • LO2: Understand the basic science underlying nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders and their treatment options. • LO3: Understand the mechanisms of action, benefits, and adverse effects of various neurotherapeutic agents, including pharmaceuticals and biologics. • LO4: Understand the mechanisms of action, benefits, and adverse effects of various cardiovascular therapeutic agents, including pharmaceuticals and biologics. • LO5: Appraise the clinical use and administration of neurotherapeutic agents in a range of neurological conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. • LO6: Evaluate the clinical use and administration of cardiovascular therapeutic agents in cardiovascular disease, caused for example by thrombosis or atherosclerosis. • LO7: Critically interpret the available literature on neurotherapeutic agents (preclinical and clinical data) and propose future directions for the development of new and improved neurotherapeutic agents. • LO8: Critically interpret the available literature on cardiovascular therapeutic agents (preclinical and clinical data) and propose future directions for the development of new and improved cardiovascular therapeutic agents. Module Content: Overview of nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders: This section will provide a comprehensive overview of brain disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and others. Additionally, this section will cover cardiovascular disease and its many causes, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, in-stent restenosis and aneurysms. It will cover the molecular and cellular basis of these diseases and the latest research in this area. Developing new therapies: Biologics are isolated from a variety of natural sources - human, animal, or microorganism - and may be produced by biotechnology methods and other cutting-edge technologies, including gene-based and cellular biologics, which are often at the forefront of biomedical research, and may be used to treat a variety of medical conditions for which no other treatments are available. This section will address the development of biotherapeutics, composed of sugars, proteins, or nucleic acids or complex combinations of these substances, or may be biological entities such as extracellular vesicles (EVs). It will examine the current state of biotherapeutic discovery and development for nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders. Topics covered will include drug target identification, purification, preclinical testing, and clinical trials. Clinical application of neuro and cardiovascular therapeutics: This section will focus on the practical aspects of biotherapeutics in nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders, their delivery and therapy outcomes, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), fusion proteins, recombinant proteins, gene therapy products and immunomodulatory and bioengineered extracellular vesicles Module Assessment: The module will be assessed through a combination of online tests and oral exams. The online tests will include multiple choice and short answer questions. The oral exam will be an interactive oral exam assessing course content in an engaging and focused way. Overall, this module will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field of neuro- and cardiovascular therapeutics and the latest developments in this area. It will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers in academia, industry, or the healthcare sector. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Gain advanced knowledge of the key features of the nervous system and of the cardiovascular system and the interplay between these systems. 2. Gain critical awareness of the basic science underlying nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders and their treatment options. 3. Gain a critical awareness of the mechanisms of action, benefits, and adverse effects of various neurotherapeutic agents, including pharmaceuticals and biologics. 4. Gain a critical awareness of the mechanisms of action, benefits, and adverse effects of various cardiovascular therapeutic agents, including pharmaceuticals and biologics. 5. Critically appraise the clinical use and administration of neurotherapeutic agents in a range of neurological conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. 6. Systematically evaluate the clinical use and administration of cardiovascular therapeutic agents in cardiovascular disease, caused for example by thrombosis or atherosclerosis. 7. Critically interpret the available literature on neurotherapeutic agents (preclinical and clinical data) and propose future directions for the development of new and improved neurotherapeutic agents. 8. Critically interpret the available literature on cardiovascular therapeutic agents (preclinical and clinical data) and propose future directions for the development of new and improved cardiovascular therapeutic agents. 9. Effectively demonstrate your creativity, problem-solving and reflection competencies to produce a valuable report. 10. Work effectively within a group to create recommendations for policy, governance and clinical engagement. 11. Effectively peer-review the work of others and defend their stakeholder positions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Overview of nervous system and cardiovascular system disordersThis section will provide a comprehensive overview of brain disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and others. Additionally, this section will cover cardiovascular disease and its many causes, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, in-stent restenosis and aneurysms. It will cover the molecular and cellular basis of these diseases and the latest research in this area.Developing new therapiesBiologics are isolated from a variety of natural sources - human, animal, or microorganism - and may be produced by biotechnology methods and other cutting-edge technologies, including gene-based and cellular biologics, which are often at the forefront of biomedical research, and may be used to treat a variety of medical conditions for which no other treatments are available. This section will address the development of biotherapeutics, composed of sugars, proteins, or nucleic acids or complex combinations of these substances, or may be biological entities such as extracellular vesicles (EVs). It will examine the current state of biotherapeutic discovery and development for nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders. Topics covered will include drug target identification, purification, preclinical testing, and clinical trials.Clinical application of neuro and cardiovascular therapeuticsThis section will focus on the practical aspects of biotherapeutics in nervous system and cardiovascular system disorders, their delivery and therapy outcomes, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), fusion proteins, recombinant proteins, gene therapy products and immunomodulatory and bioengineered extracellular vesicles.Case studies in biotherapeuticsCase studies will be supported by core reading material from peer-reviewed scientific literature. For consistency, each group will be required i) to provide a critical succinct account of the underlying science, ii) to describe how you worked as a group to analyse the problem, iii) to identify the basis underlying your recommendations, iv) to provide a succinct account of your recommendations and v) to discuss implications for policy, governance and clinical engagement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes
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