Topics in Mathematical Pharmacology

Mathematical analysis of pharmacological models is becoming increasingly relevant 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 transduction across the cell wall. Both models demonstrate the complex and interesting dynamics which is directly relevant for the impact of the drug.