Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology

Recommended Prerequisites

- Basic knowledge acquired within the curricular units of Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Applied Physics, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology and related areas;

- Language skills of Portuguese and English.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodology proposed for the pursuit of the curricular unit goals corresponds to:

- Theoretical classes: Expositive method using technological means such as slides and videos presentation.

Learning Outcomes

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary area, of major current interest, which involves developing nanosystems with important therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. In the case of pharmaceutical applications it is intended: to develop new controlled release systems; solving pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic problems of some drugs; develop more effective therapies using functionalization; use of biomarkers for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes.

This Curricular Unit aims to explore the recent conceptual and technological advances in the application of nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as the area of nanotoxicology and nanosafety. It is intended that students acquire the necessary skills for the efficient design, preparation and application of nano-systems in the diagnosis and treatment of pathological situations, in parallel with the ability to discuss the future perspectives of an area that is still evolving.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Concepts

1.2 Nanomedicine and nanotherapeutics

1.3 Biological requirements

1.4 Advantages as delivery systems

 

2 TARGETING AND CONTROLLED DRUG RELEASE SYSTEMS

2.1 Biological barriers and transport mechanisms

2.2 Drug Activation and targeting

2.3 Controlled release

2.4 Administration routes

2.9 Actual available systems and future perspectives

 

3 NANOSYSTEMS

3.1 Liposomes

3.2 Lipid nanoparticles

3.3 Polymeric nanoparticles

3.4 Polymeric micelles

3.5 Nanofibers

3.6 Dendrimers

3.7 Nanogels and biosilica

3.8 Quantum dots

3.9 Nanotubes and fullerenes

3.10 Magnetic and metallic nanoparticles

 

4 ANALYTICAL TOOLS

4.1 Physicochemical characterization

4.2 Drug delivery

4.3 Permeation of biological barriers

 

5 NANO-SAFETY

5.1 Exposure routes

5.2 Biological barriers

5.3 Interactions between nanosystems and the biological environment

 

6 NANO-TOXICOLOGY

6.1 In vitro models

6.2 In vivo models

6.3 Pharmacokinetic models

Head Lecturer(s)

António José Ribeiro

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Frequency: 100.0%

Bibliography

- Jain K: The Handbook of Nanomedicine: Humana Press; 2012.

- Vogel U, Savolainen K, Wu Q, van Tongeren M, Brouwer D, Berges M: Handbook of Nanosafety: Measurement, Exposure and Toxicology: Elsevier Science; 2013.