Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Pharmacology and Physiology

Pharmacology and Physiology is a specialised research area within the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences postgraduate research programmes (MPhil), focusing on understanding how physiological systems function and how disease processes develop. The research aims to identify and validate new drug targets and to investigate the mechanisms through which drugs exert their effects, contributing to the advancement of therapeutic strategies.

The programme encompasses a range of research themes, including cell signalling in conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, airway diseases, smooth muscle pharmacology, neurodegenerative disorders, and the application of chemo- and bioluminescence techniques. Research is conducted across multiple levels of biological organisation, from molecular and cellular processes to whole tissues and organisms, providing a comprehensive understanding of drug action and physiological regulation.

Students gain experience in a wide array of advanced experimental methodologies, including in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies, molecular and cellular biology techniques, imaging and electrophysiology, and biochemical and genetic analysis. This broad methodological training equips researchers with the skills needed to contribute to drug discovery, biomedical research, and the development of new treatments in both academic and clinical settings.