McGill Podcasts » Mini-Pharma

The Future of Medicine: Thinking Small

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:05:57 +0000

The use of nanobiotechnology in medicine is termed “nanomedicine.” Dr. Maysinger will discuss current advances in nanomedicine research, including targeted cancer therapies, localized drug delivery, and improved cell-material interactions for imaging of brain cells.

The Genetics of Analgesia: Will We Have Customized Pain-Killers?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:02:02 +0000

People differ in their responses to commonly prescribed pain medications because of environmental and genetic factors. Dr. Mogil will look at the possibilities and challenges of achieving individualized therapies for chronic pain.

Are Chemicals in Our Environment Affecting Reproductive Health?

Cody Rei-Anderson — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:31:35 +0000

Over the past 50 years, our quality of life has improved thanks, in part, to a wide range of new chemicals. Some of these are now suspected of impairing fertility. Dr. Bernard Robaire will discuss the existing evidence and whether there are steps we should take to protect the next generation.

Cigarette Smoking: The Uncertain Role of Nicotine

Cody Rei-Anderson — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:28:01 +0000

Twenty years ago, the U.S. Surgeon General resoundingly concluded that nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. Dr. Paul Clarke will present a more nuanced view, highlighting different effects of cigarette smoking and cigarette smoke that may encourage the tobacco habit.

Drug Development: Where We Are and How We Got Here

Cody Rei-Anderson — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:26:15 +0000

Dr. Timothy Geary discusses the history of drug development. How has the search for chemicals that usefully affect human biology developed, what factors were crucial in advancing the science behind drug discovery, and where do we stand today?