edited by'
a place Pharmacology: A Place for Chemists Charles R. Craig Depaitment of Pharmacology and Toxicology West Virg~ntaUniversity Medical Center Morgantown, WV 26506
At first consideration, the idea that the basic medical science of pharmacology offers unique opportunities as a career for chemists might appear farfetched. In fact, many people might ask what pharmacology is. Actually, pharmacology, which is the science of drugs, is an ideal field for someone with a strong interest and background in chemistry. Most drugs are organic chemicals, and most are produced commercially by synthetic methods. Pharmacology is concerned with all aspects of drugs; this certainly includes their chemical features. I would like to give some examples in which a sound knowledge of chemistry is of benefit to a pharmacologist. In the pharmaceutical industry, pharmacologists work closely with organic chemists to design new drugs. A pharmacologist with a strong chemistry background can discuss intelligently with chemists the probable beneficial or harmful effects of adding or deletiqg chemical groups from experimental compounds. Another area of pharmacology with heavy overtones of chemistry is in the development of assay systems for measuring the concentration of a given drng in body tissues or fluids. The ability of the physician to measure the tissue concentration of a drug is very important. A certain level in the body is required for therapeutic effects to be realized; higher levels can be associated with toxicity or side effects. Assay systems usually first involve separation of the drng from other hody constituents. This requires a knowledge of solubility, ionization, molecular size, and other physicalchemical characteristics of the drug and of normal chemical comoounds of the uarticular tissue or fluid to be analvzed. A knowledge is a1so;equired of various separation methods: solvent extraction, filtration, and centrifugation. Secondly, the pharmacologist should have agood understanding of the various detection systems that are used, including scintillation counting of radio-labeled drugs, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas liquid chromatography (GLC),
--
A Place for Chemists surveys the diversified careers available to chemists, or which require some chemical training. As we are all career consultors to some degree, this feature will hopefully supply you with some new insights as to what is available.
FRANKS QU~RING Clayton Hlgh School Clayton. Mlssoun 63105
ultraviolet spectrometry to colorimetry. 'Throughout the orocess. from nurification of the drug- to cboosina.the most appropriate detection system, a knowledge of the chemical characteristics of the articular comuound to he assayed is of the utmost importance. These are but two examules where knowledge of chemistry binding is directly ;elated to the number and typeof bonds formed. Drugs are chemically altered (metabolized) in the hody (primarily in the liver). These chemical changes usually result in a more polar, less active molecule. Sometimes, however, a more hiologically active species is formed. In general, pharmacology is a field for graduate study only, although a few colleges offer a baccalaureate degree in pharmacology. For the most part, students enrolling in pharmacology graduate programs have as a background a haccalanreate degree in biology, zoology, chemistry, or pharmacy. Once enrolledin a pharm&ology graduate program, students generally take courses in physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, histology, pathology, statistics, as well as several courses in pharmacology and toxicology (the science of poisons). The ereatest amount of time, however. is suent in the laboratory working on a dissertation research project. There is generally no time available to strengthen one's background in basic chemistry. How should one meuare for a career in pharmacology? . First, one should have strong interest in science and enjoy working in the laboratory. One should take as many courses in che;istry as is feasible, certainly including organic and, if possible, physical chemistry. Mathematics, including calculus, is generally required. A good knowledge of cell biology is essential to an understanding of the living organism. In today's world, however, this is still not enough. It is a mistaken belief that scientists should study only science. Scientists must communicate effectively, both in writing and speaking, with other scientists and nonscientists. Language skills must he developed. A knowledge of a foreign language is certainly helpful since, although it is true that science may not recognize national
-
de& with alove of science &any times fail to find releGance in art. historv. music, or literature. The longer . one lives, however, the more relevant these subjects become. Secondly, one must have patience and determination and must not be easily discouraged. After all, Paul Ehrlich considered 605 separate chemical substances before be discovered a compound which was effective in the treatment of syphilis (Salvarsan; compound 606).
Volume 59
Number 3
March 1982
231
