Overview
Paper 1
SCIENTIFIC PAPER: PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS
The scientific paper assignments in this course provide students the opportunity to expand their
critical thinking and problem-solving capacities. They encourage scientific inquiry, literature
review and scientific communication of molecular mechanisms that support cellular processes in
health and disease states.
INSTRUCTIONS
From the assigned article found in the Learn section of this module, there are several significant
issues with the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI).
1. Discuss the symptoms for which PPIs are prescribed and the intended target of these
drugs.
2. Next, address an organelle that would also be affected by these drugs.
3. Based on the function of that organelle, do the issues on the website make biological
sense?
4. Lastly, propose an alternative approach for a patient with these symptoms that would not
require him or her to remain on PPIs long-term. Does your approach address the source
of their symptoms?
You should employ at least five peer-reviewed scientific sources/literature including review
articles in your research on the topic and be sure to use the AMA writing format. There is a two
(2)-page length limit on this paper, but it should be detailed, comprehensive, well organized and
should have the appropriate language for scientific communication.
Paper 2
SCIENTIFIC PAPER: HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC AGENTS ASSIGNMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
The scientific paper assignments in this course provide students the opportunity to expand their
critical thinking and problem-solving capacities. They encourage scientific inquiry, literature
review and scientific communication of molecular mechanisms that support cellular processes in
health and disease states.
INSTRUCTIONS
Work from the Brown and Goldstein lab (in the Familial Hypercholesterolemia article in the
Learn section) provided insights into cholesterol homeostasis that were used to develop several
of the LDL cholesterol-lowering therapies, including statins that remain in use today. However,
in some patients, statins were not as effective as expected, suggestive of additional mechanisms
regulating the LDL receptor. Investigate other LDL cholesterol-lowering therapies (other than
PCSK-9 inhibitors), select 1, and compare the mechanisms of action between the class of drug
you select and statins. Include side effects for both types of drugs and information on their
efficacy.
You should employ at least five peer-reviewed scientific sources/literature including review
articles in your research on the topic and be sure to use the AMA writing format. There is a two
(2)-page length limit on this paper, but it should be detailed, comprehensive, well organized and
should have the appropriate language for scientific communication.