Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology studies the mechanism of cell fate determination by acute and chronic exposure to drugs and toxicants. Faculty in this track conduct multidisciplinary research that integrates state-of-the-art knowledge and techniques from molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics and virology. Current focus is on the mechanism and integration of gene function and the development of drug and molecular therapeutics. Model systems include breast, prostate and skin cancer, chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases, and viral and toxin-induced disorders.
Translational research is emphasized through close collaboration with members of the Marlene & Stewart Greenbaum Cancer Center and the Departments of Dermatology and Neurology, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center and researchers at other institutions including the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The track is committed to train qualified students to become creative researchers and prepares them for careers in academic, government and industry. It provides a rich environment in which trainees can acquire cutting-edge knowledge needed in order to solve important and current problems in oncopharmacology, neuropharmacology, toxipharmacology and biotechnology. The Ph.D. degree is offered for studies in all four fields. The M.S. degree is also available on a full or part-time basis, with thesis and non-thesis masters options. A non-thesis M.S. mandates that the student spends a minimum of 12 months doing pharmacological research under the supervision of one of the program's faculty. The M.S. degree training emphasizes knowledge of fundamentals and quantitative pharmacology as well as laboratory research skills.
One key feature of the track is its commitment to matching the needs and goals of individual students. In addition to core courses in basic principles of toxicology and pharmacology, students have a broad range of course options in their areas of specialization. Broad exposure to contemporary research concepts and techniques is provided by required participation in a series of laboratory rotations. To foster the development of lecturing and teaching skills and the critical evaluation of scientific data, students deliver a series of seminars with guidance and feedback from faculty mentors. Student presentations in intramural, local and national research meetings are encouraged. Training is also supported through NIH T32 training grants. Graduates trained by faculty in this track have been successfully placed in careers in universities and colleges, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and in federal and state agencies.
Study and Research Focus Areas
- Neurotoxicology, oncotoxicology and antidotal therapies (Training grant)
- Cell injury and Apoptosis
- Cellular senescence, telomerase activation and the ubiquitin-proteosome system
- Protein purification, structural analysis and protein-protein interactions
- Core transcription, splicing and post-transcriptional control
- Synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity
- Endogenous modulators of neurotransmitter receptor activity
- Signal transduction in cancer and neurodegeneration
- Electrophysiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Ion Channels
- Brain development and behavior
- Molecular mechanism of glial cell function and endocrine disruptors
- Antiviral, antisense and molecular therapy (Training grant)
- Stem cell biology and therapy
- Viral and non-viral vector construction
- Genetic vaccine development
- Drug Discovery and development of anticancer agents
- Molecular modeling and X-ray crystallography
- Human tumor models (xenografts) for cancer drug development
Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology Track Faculty
Contact
William Randall, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Track Leader, Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology Molecular Medicine Program
GPILS Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics
Secondary Appointment: Program In Neuroscience
University of Maryland School of Medicine
655 West Baltimore Street, Room 4-021
Baltimore MD 21201
Phone: (410) 706-7530
Fax: (410) 706-0032
wrandall@umaryland.edu