Topics in Mathematical Pharmacology

Abstract

Mathematical analysis of pharmacological models is becoming increasingly rel- evant for drug development. Emphasis on mechanistic models has grown and qualitative understanding of complex biological systems has improved a great deal. In this paper we present two examples of basic modular processes which are involved in a wide range of physiological systems. The first model concerns the interaction of a drug with its target, the way the compounds bind and then elicit an effect. The second model is central in signal trans- duction across the cell wall. Both models demonstrate the complex and interesting dynamics which is directly relevant for the impact of the drug.