This specialisation offers research-orientated education in drug research hosted by the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR). Some groups focus on the discovery and characterization of new drug targets and safe and effective lead molecules, particularly in the field of cancer. Other groups develop specific drug delivery techniques, and new therapeutic approaches to treat immune-based disorders, e.g. atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders, inflammatory skin diseases. Other areas include metabolomics-driven health monitoring and systems biology, as well as precision medicine approaches to characterize and predict variation in treatment response and to enhance translational drug development strategies. Techniques range from advanced imaging techniques ('systems microscopy'), in vitro and in vivo model systems, organic synthesis, cutting-edge drug formulations, state-of-the-art analytical methods, molecular biology, quantitative pharmacology, and computational approaches. Placement in specific research groups may be restricted by available places.