WHAT IS PHARMACOLOGY?   Pharmacology is the science of drugs, and is perhaps the original interdisciplinary science. It has the goals of understanding how drugs work, how drugs are processed in the body, and of using that information to develop new drugs and new drug targets to treat human disease. Knowledge, concepts and experimental approaches are drawn from each of the traditional basic biomedical science disciplines to achieve these goals.  Knowledge about drugs interacting with known target molecules and the identification of novel target molecules (Molecular Pharmacology) is combined with information about how effects of drugs on different organs and tissues are integrated to produce a therapeutic or toxic effect (Systems Pharmacology).    Therefore, Pharmacology is an appropriate and exciting field of study for students with diverse undergraduate science backgrounds including Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience or Psychology.

OUR PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS FOR A DIVERSITY OF CAREERS.  A graduate of the MSP program emerges with a broad training in the basic biomedical sciences, encompassing such disciplines as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology and neuroscience, but also has training and expertise in the specialized principles and approaches of Pharmacology, This is a combination that is increasingly sought after by the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and government sectors, as well as being excellent preparation for an academic career.  The Program also offers a specialization in Toxicology, which focuses on the adverse effects of drugs and chemicals.  The Program additionally participates in a Chemistry-Biology Interface program, providing select MSP students the opportunity to obtain concomitant training and expertise in aspects of Chemistry that are particularly relevant to Pharmacology and drug development.  Students choose their dissertation mentors from more than 40 internationally-recognized MSP faculty in 15 different academic departments.

MSP IS A STUDENT-FRIENDLY PROGRAM   The MSP program is committed to helping our students to succeed.  We recognize that the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies is not always easy, and we have numerous mechanisms in place to help our students assimilate and progress.  To ensure that the program is responsive to student concerns, two student representatives serve on the program's Executive Committee. The typical student graduates from the program between 5 to 5.5 years after matriculation.  Our students have a strong track record of professional success.

Research foci in MSP:

DRUG DEVELOPMENT and MOLECULAR THERAPEUTICS
Dingledine, Fu, Liotta, Spencer, Traynelis

CELL GROWTH CONTROL. CANCER BIOLOGY and CANCER PHARMACOLOGY
Chen, Doetsch, Edelhauser, Feng, Fu, Jones, Liotta, Mao, Pavlath, Shim, Yang, Ye

INFLAMMATION
Morgan, Sitaraman

CELL SURFACE RECEPTORS and INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING
Dingledine, Griendling, Gordon, Hall, Harrison, Hartzell, Hepler, Iuvone, Lee, Li, McCarty, Minneman, Murphy, Sitaraman, Sutliff, Taylor, Traynelis, Weinshenker, Wichmann, Ye

CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
Dudley, Gordon, Griendling Harrison, Jo, Murphy, Sutliff, Taylor

SUBSTANCE ABUSE and BEHAVIORAL PHARMACOLOGY
Howell, Kilts, Kuhar, Nemeroff, Owens, Smith

CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
Feng, Mao, Pavlath

METABOLISM and MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
Brown, Doetsch, Jones, Jo, Miller, Morgan

NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
Dingledine, Feng, Gordon, Hall, Hepler, Howell, Iuvone, Kilts, Kuhar, Mao, Miller, Minneman, Muly, Nemeroff, Owens, Smith, Traynelis, Weinshenker, Wichmann

REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION
Brown, Dingledine, Dudley, Feng, Harrison, Iuvone, Morgan, Murphy, Pavlath, Sutliff