Pharmacogenetics. Uhm, how do I learn/experience it?

[PonderingChoice]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Pharmacogenetics is something that sounds intriguing to me. Does anyone know a) what schools, if any, present good opportunities to learn about it? Or b) how one even gets involved in the field? Any practical information about it in general would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[calisoca]

Nevermind.

 

[PonderingChoice]

I smell a supplemental application question.

What? If that implies that I'm digging on the internet for an answer to an application question, you're absolutely wrong. If you're taking a shot at me for some other reason, well then go ahead. 😛 I have a genetics background, that's why I'm interested, but I'm not sure how one goes about getting pharmacogenetics experience (if possible) before they have their PharmD.

 

[PonderingChoice]

It's been a while but these were some areas I looked into before my interviews.

Thanks. As an aside, I haven't even applied (though I suppose I'll start in the next few months), let alone be accepted to some place. Though I was also thinking about gene dosing. I know there's at least one drug where too much or too little is bad, and so maybe that application of pharmacogenetics avoids the can of worms you referenced? Heh, might I ask why you deleted your post? You can PM me if you want.

 

[Praziquantel86]

UB is one of the few schools to have a mandatory Pharmacogenomics class, taken in the P3 year. Our Pharmaceutics department has quite a few of the big names in the field (and Pharmaceutics in general).

It's very interesting stuff, and it's a field that is still in its infancy.

 

[PonderingChoice]

UB is one of the few schools to have a mandatory Pharmacogenomics class, taken in the P3 year. Our Pharmaceutics department has quite a few of the big names in the field (and Pharmaceutics in general).

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[ret09]

I would think most reputable pharmacy schools will have some sort of introductory course on pharmacogenomics. But really thats all you're going to get. This field is still incredibly young. Theres a lot of promising, exciting work being done, and you'll be exposed to the basics during pharmacy school. I know that UF requres you take a class on Pharmacogenomics and Drug Therapy monitoring during P3. If you are truly interested in being involved in pharmacogenomics, you'll have to go for a PhD. Lots of schools have graduate programs in Pharmachogenomics... Start with the big ones...

 

[Praziquantel86]

I would think most reputable pharmacy schools will have some sort of introductory course on pharmacogenomics. But really thats all you're going to get. This field is still incredibly young. Theres a lot of promising, exciting work being done, and you'll be exposed to the basics during pharmacy school. I know that UF requres you take a class on Pharmacogenomics and Drug Therapy monitoring during P3. If you are truly interested in being involved in pharmacogenomics, you'll have to go for a PhD. Lots of schools have graduate programs in Pharmachogenomics... Start with the big ones...

Depends on what you mean by "introductory course." The concept is mentioned in the various forms of PK and Physical Pharmacy classes across different curricula, along with very basic examples of genomics in practice. Very few actually dedicate a course to the topic (last I heard, it was about 6).

A PhD is also not necessary, depending on what area you would like to go in. If you're looking into the trailblazing scientific work in the lab, then a PhD would probably be necessary for no other reason than to gain the respect of other faculty members you'd be working with. A PharmD (albeit with a fellowship) is perfectly suitable for clinical and/or practical work in the field. The problem with the PharmD is that most programs do not teach enough research methods in order for them to swim with the big fish. Knowledge base, it's all there.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

The University of Arizona is now requiring Pharmacogenomics as a class as well. They are also supposed to be starting a fellowship for PharmDs in the field in the next few years. I agree the field is very interesting!

 

[PonderingChoice]

The University of Arizona is now requiring Pharmacogenomics as a class as well. They are also supposed to be starting a fellowship for PharmDs in the field in the next few years.

Again, thanks for this and other information.

 

[Farmercyst]

USC has pharmacogenomics in 2nd semester of 1st year, it's only 2 units though. We also touch on it again in Therapeutics II in 2nd year. As for research, we have a few people doing research in that area. You could probably arrange to work in their lab over the summer or a few hours during the school year, or just go PharmD/PhD and do it as part of your PhD research.