The mission of the Department of Translational Science and Medicine is to establish a robust teaching and research infrastructure that fosters preclinical innovation and therapeutic development in immuno-inflammatory diseases. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of low-grade inflammation, dysfunctional immune systems, and the complexities of co-existing conditions.
The department is structured to integrate all essential elements under one roof, bringing together experts capable of discovering and formulating new drugs while improving the effectiveness of existing treatments. Translational science focuses on generating scientific and operational innovations that address challenges within the translational research pipeline. Our commitment to educating students in original research on innovative therapeutic development aligns with CCHS's mission to promote the health of individuals and communities in Alabama and the Southeast region, while building an international reputation as a premier health sciences academic research center.
Programs
Advanced Drug Delivery Concentration
Concentration of the Interdisciplinary Studies, PhD hosted by the Graduate School
Faculty
Interim Chair
- M. N. V. Ravi Kumar
Assistant professors
- Raghu Ganugula
- John Victor Napoleon
Associate professor
- Meenakshi Arora
Professor
- M. N. V. Ravi Kumar
Courses
This course provides an overview of drug discovery, formulation, and delivery with efforts to reflect on the past and peek into the future drug development. This course requires substantial knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and basic courses in biological sciences.
This course presents topics designed to bring together divergent thinking (imaginary) with convergent thinkers (logical) to provide a platform to train the next generation of students to think horizontally to overcome the valley of death in drug discovery and bring new therapies to clinic. As a career preparation course, it aims to provide students the depth and breadth of understanding in drug discovery and development that will be applicable throughout their careers, regardless of their research focus.
This research-based laboratory course provides training in the of drug delivery systems through a broad spectrum of techniques including synthesis of polyesters and their bioconjugation, characterization of polyesters using the state-of-the-art analytical tools, processing the polyesters into nanoparticulate drug carrier systems encapsulating diverse model drugs, and characterization of the nanoparticles for size, loading, encapsulation, release, and stability. This course will provide basic training and experience for a smooth start for future laboratory work. This course requires substantial knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and basic courses in biological sciences.