IntechOpen Book Series Pharmaceutical Science

Volume 3

### Aims and Scope of the Series

Pharmaceutical science focuses on the design, synthesis, formulation, targeting, distribution, safety, and efficacy of active compounds as potential therapeutics. It is a large interdisciplinary discipline that aims to integrate the basic principles of physical and organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and engineering to discover, develop, and characterize active compounds and to optimize the formulation and delivery of drugs in the body for offering new and improved safe and efficacious therapies against human diseases. The research areas covered by the pharmaceutical sciences range from medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical technology to pharmacology and toxicology, which represent the preliminary phases of drug development. Medicinal chemistry involves the design and synthesis of pharmaceuticals as well as the isolation of active agents from natural sources. Computer-aided strategies are increasingly involved in this drug discovery process. Pharmaceutics is a multidisciplinary science that examines the relationships between drug formulation, delivery, distribution, and clinical outcomes. Modern clinical approaches are increasingly relying on controlled release strategies and drug delivery and targeting systems, including nanotechnological platforms (nanomedicine). Pharmacology is the science of drug action in biological systems. Pharmacologists also make drugs as tools to explore aspects of cell and tissue functions. Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of active agents on living organisms and the ecosystem, including the prevention and amelioration of such adverse effects. This book series includes volumes on Drug Discovery, Delivery, and Pharmacology. Their overall aim is to present the latest research in the whole path of drug discovery and development from different points of view of this multidisciplinary and dynamic field.

## Meet the Series Editor

Prof. Rosario Pignatello is a Full Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Legislation at the University of Catania, Italy. He is the Director of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the research and development of innovative formulations for the controlled release and targeting of bioactive molecules, through chemical approaches as well as nanotechnological carriers, aimed at treating different disorders.

Prof. Pignatello has coauthored about 180 papers and edited a series of textbooks on biomaterials and their application in medicine. The main areas of his research are polymeric and lipid-based micro- and nanoparticles as modified drug delivery systems; vesicular nanocarriers (liposomes, micelles); lipophilic prodrugs and conjugates; synthesis and evaluation of new polymeric biomaterials for drug delivery and tissue regeneration. In particular, Prof. Pignatello works actively in the field of ocular drug delivery, leading the Research Centre for Ocular Nanotechnology, within the NANOMED Centre (Centre for Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology) at the University of Catania.

## Meet the Volume Editor

Dr. Madhu Khullar, Ph.D., is an ex-professor of the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. She was an emeritus scientist of the Indian Council of Medical Education and Research, India. She is a fellow in hypertension research from Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, USA, and was the recipient of the Fogarty Fellowship, NIH, USA and the Department of Bio-

technology overseas fellowship in genetics research. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, India; a fellow of the International Academy of Cardiovascular Research, and a fellow of the International Society of Nutrition. She has a keen research interest in molecular mechanisms, genetics, and functional genomics of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathies, hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy. She has published nearly 200 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited several books and contributed chapters in various books.

Dr. Anupam Mittal, Ph.D., has been an assistant professor in the Department of Translational and Regenerative Medicine since 2019. He is a member of various prestigious scientific bodies. He has a keen research interest in the genetics and functional genomics of cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathies, congenital heart diseases, and cardio-renal syndrome. He also has an interest in pluripotent stem cells as a drug discovery and repur-

posing model. He has a good track record in the field of cardiovascular biology. He has contributed to various publications and book chapters in the field.

Dr. Amol Patil is currently working as an additional professor and is in charge of drug information center services in the Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh. He obtained his primary medical education, namely an MBBS, from Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai. Dr. Patil pursued his career in clinical pharmacology as an MD and DM, as his prime interest lies in pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine. He has developed

several patient services for tailoring the medication doses. He has two patents, over 80 research papers in national and international journals, and book chapters to his credit.

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