For the second virtual lab we will focus on practical application of the princip

For the second virtual lab we will focus on practical application of the principles you have learned to a commonly used medicine. Antagonists or inhibitors of molecular drug targets can reduce the activity of the target and any downstream signaling or metabolic pathways. In doing this , they may produce beneficial or therapeutic effects (e.g. reducing blood pressure, reducing psychotic symptoms, reducing acid secretion into the stomach). However, inhibiting the function of a target can also cause toxic effects (e.g., hypotension, extrapyramidal symptoms, etc.). Understanding how much and how long a target and its pathway needs to be inhibited is a critical part of the information needed to use a medicine safely and effectively.
When studying molecular target, we can often use genetic knockout models (mice, yeast, cell lines) to understand the biological consequences of reducing the cellular effects of the target gene/protein/molecule. Gene knockouts permanently remove the target and its cellular effects. Antagonist drugs may be administered using different regimens to achieve block the receptors partially (e.g. 50% target occupancy or pathway inhibition), mostly (e.g.>75% pathway inhibition) or completely (>99% pathway inhibition).