What is Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology?

Pharmacology is the knowledge of the biochemical and physiological actions of drugs. A drug is broadly defined as any chemical that affects biological processes. Man's age-old quest to understand the effects of powerful ancient poisons, stimulants, and herbal medicines forms the historical roots of Pharmacology: The deadly Hemlock extract that filled Socrates' cup of poison; Cocaine, a narcotic long-known to the Andean natives (its mode of action is in the center of current research on drug addiction); Foxglove, the source of digitalis glycosides used in medieval England as well as in modern medicine for the treatment of heart failure.

Many drugs act on cellular signaling pathways. The molecular basis of cellular signaling and its control by various drugs is a major aspect of modern pharmacology and this aspect is emphasized in the Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. The majority of signal transduction pathways still awaits discovery or at least a thorough molecular characterization. Members of our Graduate Program employ the whole spectrum of modern biochemical, cell and molecular biological, physiological, and pharmacological methods in a strictly basic research-oriented scientific environment to unravel the many unsolved mysteries underlying cellular regulation and signaling. Certain research initiatives have a translational component, with the goal of applying basic discoveries to developing new therapeutic modalities.

The members of the Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology invite you to examine the educational and research opportunities described at this site, and to consider joining this unique and exciting Graduate Program.

Robert Abraham of Burnham Institute for Medical Research states, "During my tenure in the pharmaceutical industry, I have learned from first-hand experience that the discovery of new drugs demands more than simply a deep understanding of the underlying biology of the disease target of interest. Scientists who also possess a firm grasp of how drugs influence biological systems at the cellular and organsimal level are best equipped to advance their projects toward successful conclusions. Graduate training in Pharmacology offers a unique blend of preparation in both of these arenas, and allows early-career scientists to really hit the ground running when they join my oncology discovery group."

What Makes this Program Different from Others?

Pharmacology is the classic discipline for studying cellular signaling. Biochemistry, on the other hand, emphasizes traditionally the molecular characterization of cell components and their metabolism. No other biomedical discipline but Pharmacology comprises a comparable variety of conceptual and technical approaches toward an understanding of molecular and physiological processes. Modern molecular biology, protein biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, genetics, electrophysiology, and morphology are well represented in the Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. Students will be instructed thoroughly in these fields as well as in the unique principles of Pharmacology.

One major objective of the Program is to teach the students a fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of signal transducing systems and their regulation.

The Program brings together an outstanding group of dedicated trainers with a focus on cellular signal transduction. Graduates of the Program will be well prepared for a career in basic biomedical sciences. The Program provides a unique training experience for young scientists who want to elucidate basic principles of cellular signal pathways. Detailed knowledge of these pathways is the most important prerequisite for the discovery of new drugs and the treatment of diseases.

Career Opportunities

Numerous academic, governmental, and industrial employment opportunities await the pharmacology graduate. Pharmacology as a central subject for medical students has a strong representation at most medical schools, and many academic positions are available for pharmacologists who want to teach and engage in basic research. Pharmaceutical companies focus on the discovery and development of novel therapeutic drugs, often employing modern biotechnological strategies. They have great demands for highly qualified pharmacologists in leading positions. Governmental offices, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), require well-trained pharmacologists with large responsibilities to oversee the therapeutic effects as well as the pharmacological safety of newly developed drugs. The Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology is designed to provide the theoretical and practical training to compete successfully for employment in the academic as well as the private sector.

On-line Resources

• Explore Pharamacology: Opportunities and Challenges in Pharmacology
• CALS Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Development - The Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Development was created to assist prospective graduate students in locating and investigating graduate programs suited to their interests, and to help current graduate students get the most out of graduate studies by highlighting opportunities to expand and enhance the training they already receive in their individual graduate programs.

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