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Pharmacokinetics in an introductory physics lab: experimental monitoring and computer modeling of drug metabolism
Author(s) -
Rodriguez Juan,
Weigal Justin,
Spitznagel Benjamin,
Wilmes Anthony
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.553.10
Subject(s) - compartment (ship) , semipermeable membrane , physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling , pharmacokinetics , membrane , drug metabolism , chemistry , biophysics , metabolism , biochemical engineering , pharmacology , biochemistry , biology , engineering , oceanography , geology
Vision and Change [AAAS, 2011] outlines a blueprint for modernizing biology education that includes a listing of key concepts and competencies students need to succeed in 21 st century Biology. Here we describe an introductory physics lab that advances the reports’ recommendations on the concept of systems, and on the abilities to tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science and to use modeling/simulation. These are achieved through an in vitro pharmacokinetics experiment on the metabolism of coumarin by liver microsomes. The apparatus revolves around two fluid compartments separated by a semipermeable membrane. One compartment is a shallow, 3D printed well, that contains a liver microsome suspension. This arrangement mimics a tissue compartment. The second compartment mimics the circulation. It uses a mini‐pump that circulates a fluid continuously across the semipermeable membrane. Coumarin is injected into the circulating fluid, from where it diffuses across the semipermeable membrane and into the microsome‐containing compartment where it is gradually metabolized. The fluid also flows continuously through a small UV/VIS spectrophometer that monitors drug concentration in realtime. Experimental results are contrasted with those obtained with agent‐based modeling that mimics flow conditions in the circulation, diffusion into and out of the tissue compartment, and metabolism.