Laboratory Overview
In pharmacotherapy, even when the same medication is administered, there can be remarkable individual differences in pharmacokinetics (how the drug behaves in the body), the intensity of its effects, and the likelihood of side effects. These variations can be attributed to a wide range of physiological and environmental factors, such as the functions of the liver, kidneys, and heart, age, sex, circadian rhythms, diet, concomitant medications, and health supplements.
In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that, in addition to these factors, slight differences in DNA sequences on the human genome—known as genetic polymorphisms—can significantly affect drug responsiveness. If we can assess an individual patient’s drug response based on their genomic information, it will be possible to achieve “personalized pharmacotherapy” that maximizes efficacy while minimizing side effects.
At the Department of Genome-Based Drug Discovery and Development, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, we aim to elucidate the molecular relationship between “individual differences in drug responsiveness” and the “genome.” Our mission is to foster pharmaceutical researchers and pharmacists capable of proposing new guidelines for safer and more effective pharmacotherapy.
Would you like to join us in developing the skills to help shape the future of medicine?
