Nanotechnology

Recommended Prerequisites

All areas of life sciences (examples: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Biochemistry or Biology).

Teaching Methods

Lectures: students actively engaged in the construction of knowledge, analyzing diverse information in the context of Nanotechnology/Nanomedicine. Links between a professional context and exploited scientific concepts will thus be established.
Autonomous learning: students will be encouraged to, autonomously get actively involved in the construction and development of their knowledge, searching and analyzing information and solving problems, proposed (or not) by the teacher.
Problem-solving class: Presentation of scientific papers selected within the themes of the lectures.

Learning Outcomes

Acquire knowledge on the preparation methods of nanotechnologies of different nature.
Acquire knowledge on the encapsulation method of different molecules/agents, as a function of their nature.
Understanding the biopharmaceutical properties of nanotechnologies as a function of their physical properties.
The implementation of the objectives described will enable students to develop the following skills: organization and planning; manage information; problem solving; critical thinking; autonomous learning; oral and written communication; concern for quality.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Nanotechnology in cancer treatment: fundamentals and applications. The tumor microenvironment as a targeting strategy for nanoparticles. Genes which act as drugs: the role of nanotechnology. Application of nanotechnology to the development of new vaccines Insulin delivery by nanoparticles.

Head Lecturer(s)

António José Ribeiro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Clipping presentation: 20.0%
Paper presentation: 40.0%
Exam: 40.0%

Bibliography

Bridging cancer biology and the patients' needs with nanotechnology-based approaches.
Fonseca NA, Gregório AC, Valério-Fernandes A, Simões S, Moreira JN.
Cancer Treat Rev. 2014 Jun;40(5):626-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2014.02.002. Epub 2014 Feb 22.
Lipid-based nanoparticles for siRNA delivery in cancer therapy: paradigms and challenges.
Gomes-da-Silva LC, Fonseca NA, Moura V, Pedroso de Lima MC, Simões S, Moreira JN.
Acc Chem Res. 2012 Jul 17;45(7):1163-71. doi: 10.1021/ar300048p. Epub 2012 May 8.
Chitosan-based nanoparticles as a hepatitis B antigen delivery system.
Lebre F, Bento D, Jesus S, Borges O.
Methods Enzymol. 2012;509:127-42. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-391858-1.00007-1.
Intestinal uptake of insulin nanoparticles: facts or myths?
Lopes MA, Abrahim BA, Seiça R, Veiga F, Rodrigues CR, Ribeiro AJ.
Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2014;15(7):629-38.