Content

a) Evaluation and validation of a pharmacological target. Molecular screening: automation and high performance. Levels of pharmacological research: computer (in silica), cells, organs, animals, humans. In vitro studies: molecular for the evaluation of targets, cell cultures (biochemical and molecular), isolated organs (physiological, biochemical and molecular). Ex vivo studies. Methodologies used in in vivo studies: conscious animal and anesthetized animal (measurement of blood pressure). Animal models of diseases induced by administration of compounds, by surgical intervention or by genetic manipulation. Methodologies for studies of psychotropic drugs.

b) In silico studies. In vitro studies: physical-chemical characterization (release, dissolution). In vitro studies: metabolism. In vivo studies: handling of animals, choice of species. In vivo studies: design. Microdialysis techniques. Plasma protein binding. Animal / human extrapolation (allometry): data analysis. Toxicokinetics and special pharmacokinetics.

c) Mechanisms of toxicity. In vitro toxicity studies. In vivo toxicity studies: single administration. In vivo toxicity studies: repeated administration. Toxic-anatomopathology. Reproductive toxicology: infertility, teratogenicity (embryotoxicity). Genotoxicity Carcinogenesis Phototoxicity Immunotoxicity Local tolerability Behavior tests

d) Ethics of animal research. Ethical committees BPLs: Good Laboratory Practices. Guidelines for pre-clinical research of Regulatory Agencies. Legislation. Preclinical information for registration. Study of patent situation.

e) Models, development strategies / techniques: empirical, mechanistic. Theory of statistical moments. Convolution / deconvolution: theory and applications. Non-linear adjustment. Population approximation. Sensitivity analysis and biases: strategies and applications.