Sample interview questions: Describe your knowledge of medicinal chemistry principles related to antihypertensive drugs.
Sample answer:
- Understanding of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS):
- Knowledge of the role of RAAS in regulating blood pressure and its components, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II, and aldosterone.
-
Understanding the mechanisms by which different classes of antihypertensive drugs, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and renin inhibitors, target the RAAS to lower blood pressure.
-
Expertise in Receptor Pharmacology:
- Familiarity with the molecular structures and functional properties of receptors involved in blood pressure regulation, such as alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, beta-adrenergic receptors, and calcium channels.
-
Understanding the mechanisms of action of antihypertensive drugs that target these receptors, such as alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers.
-
Knowledge of Drug-Receptor Interactions:
- Expertise in the molecular interactions between antihypertensive drugs and their target receptors, including binding affinities, selectivity, and allosteric modulation.
-
Ability to analyze structure-activity relationships (SARs) and predict the pharmacological properties of novel antihypertensive agents.
-
Understanding of Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism:
- Knowledge of the absorption, distribution, metab… Read full answer