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 in Portuguese and English.

Teaching Methods

The lectures follow the model of masterful lessons using technological means such as slides and videos. Each class is always preceded by a brief introduction, linking whenever possible to previous lessons. At the end of each lesson, the most relevant concepts are highlighted and provided material support teaching, together with the supporting bibliography.

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, solve pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic problems of some drugs, and develop more effective therapies using functionalization and 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 nanosystems in diagnosing and treating pathological situations, in parallel with the ability to discuss the future perspectives of an evolving area.

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 Lipid based

3.2 Polymeric

3.3. Inorganic

 

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
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Resolution Problems: 60.0%

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.

•Rama B, Ribeiro AJ (2023) Role of nanotechnology in the prolonged release of drugs by the subcutaneous route. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery: [ahead of print]

•Reis CP, Neufeld RJ, Veiga F, Ribeiro AJ (2017) Preparation of Drug-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles. Nanomedicine in Cancer: 171-214.

•Bibliografia específica facultada no final de cada aula.