Research in this area includes drug discovery, drug metabolism, and drug action—to extend the range of drugs available, and to provide a scientific basis for the quality use of medicines and bioactive substances.
Specific areas of research include:
- Computational methods encompassing rational, structure and analogue based drug design techniques, QSAR, drug target identification and lead optimisation
- Preclinical assessment of new chemical entities including small molecular weight and polypeptide bioactives
- Development of analytical methods for drugs in formulations and body fluids
- Studies on drugs of abuse aimed at harm minimisation and for application in forensic toxicology
- Pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies on synthetic bioactives and those extracted from natural sources
- Formulation and characterisation of nanomedicines
- Drug delivery to the lung
Research in metabolism has been designated an 'Area of Research Strength' by the University.
Pharmaceutical sciences researchers
- Professor Shyamal Das
- Associate Professor Allan Gamble
- Professor Sarah Hook
- Professor Natalie Hughes
- Associate Professor Arlene McDowell
- Dr Shakila Rizwan
- Professor Joel Tyndall
- Associate Professor Greg Walker