This module introduces students to occupational and forensic toxicology (e.g. drugs of abuse) and further develops the clinical aspects of toxicology introduced in Metabolism and Mechanisms of Toxicity with further aspects of chemical poisoning and management being discussed with the use of occupationally and environmentally relevant chemicals (e.g. metals, pesticides, insecticides). Aspects of environmental toxicology and occupational health are also discussed with specific examples of occupational carcinogens as are the role of biological monitoring and epidemiology studies and how this data is used to set effective exposure limits. Other specialist examples such as respiratory sensitizers, immunotoxicity and skin toxicity are also discussed.
In addition developing on the mechanistic aspects of toxicology introduced in MO1 an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis are also discussed including approaches for genetic toxicity testing, cell cycle control and disruption of these processes by chemicals. The role of cell signalling and epigenetics in toxicology are also covered.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Understand the principles of analytical techniques in forensic toxicology with an emphasis on investigations of drugs of abuse
Understand the features and management of a wide range of chemical toxins
Be familiar with genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens and their mechanism of action
Be aware of specialist areas such as epigenetics and immunotoxicity
Apply toxicology data in the context of occupational and environmental exposure to toxic substances.
