Nanodiagnosis and Nanotherapy

Code:

MI074166

Acronym:

NANODT

Instance: 2012/2013 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Applied Chemistry Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	33	Official Curriculum	4	-	4	52	108

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary area that has been the subject of a growing interest and development. It entails concepts in chemistry, physics and molecular biology to identify components and processes for the construction of nanomaterials, nanostructures and nanosystems with important application in therapy due to the advantages inherent to their utilization. In this context, nanomaterials and nanostructures have been developed aiming at a more versatile application that could congregate a transport and therapeutical vectoring viewpoint and/or a diagnostics perspective.
In the particular case of the pharmaceutical formulations, the development of nanotechnologies has been promising, namely due the possibility of development of new controlled release systems, with therapeutical dosage adjusted at a molecular scale, thus allowing to overcome the disadvantages associated with drug toxicity by bioaccumulation.
The possibility of functionalisation of nanosystems has provided new insights in the development of more efficient therapies. In a pharmaceutical context, nanotechnology has also showed a deep aptitude in solving pharmacotechnical and pharmacokinetic problems associated with pharmaceuticals utilization. In parallel, the use of biomarkers enabled the combined application of a nanosystems as both diagnostic and therapeutical tools.
The main objective of the Curricular Unit Nanodignóstico e Nanoterapêutica is to study two main areas of nanomedicine: the application of nanoparticles in diagnostics and in disease treatment. One intends, with the proposed programmatic curricula, that the students should be able acquire adequate knowledge and expertise to design, prepare and apply nanosystems in the diagnostics and therapeutics of pathological conditions. Thus, during the semester, the students are required to apprehend the nanotechnological concepts regarding a nanomedical employment.

Program

1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Concepts of nanotechnology, biotechnology and nanobitechnology
1.2 Role of nanotechonology in the development of nanomedicine and nanotherapeutics
1.3 Biological requirements for nanotherapeutic application
1.4 Advantages of nanomaterials and nanodevices delivery systems
1.4.1 Localized and targeted delivery
1.4.2 Controlled delivery
1.4.3 Enhanced circulation time biodistribution
1.4.4 Drug solubility
1.4.5 Intracellular drug delivery
1.4.6 Ability to cross biological membranes
1.4.7 Enhanced surface areas

2 NANOSYSTEMS FOR DRUG TARGETING AND CONTROLLED RELEASE
2.1 Biological barriers and transport mechanisms
2.2 Drug Activation and targeting. Nanosystems in drug targeting
2.3 Controlled release
2.4 Cosmetic, dermal and transdermal applications
2.5 Ocular applications
2.6 Nasal-respiratory applications
2.7 Mucosal drug delivery
2.8 Gastrointestinal applications
2.9 Actual available systems and future perspectives

3 PRODUCTION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND APPLICATIONS FOR DRUG DELIVERY OF NANOTHERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Quantum dots
3.3 Polimeric nanoparticles
3.4 Nanofibers
3.5 Dendrimers; Nanogels e biossilica
3.6 Nanotubes and fullerenes
3.7 Liposomes and Lipid nanoparticles
3.8 Partículas metálicas e magnéticas

4 ANALYTICAL TOOLS IN NANOTHERAPEUTICS RESEARCH. APLLICATION INTO:
4.1 Nanotherapeutics characterization
4.2 Physicochemical characterization of nanosystems
4.3 Drug delivery evaluation

Bibliography
The Handbook of Nanomedicine. Edited by Kewal. K. Jain, Human Press. 2008.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes, 2 hours/week ministered with audiovisual support.
Laboratory classes, 2 hours/week for carrying out works related with the topics ministered in the theoretical classes. Both group and individually executed.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Eligibility for exams

Laboratory classes’ attendance is mandatory, according to the FFUP Evaluation Regulation

Calculation formula of final grade

Final classification calculated according to the mean of the classification obtained in the continuous evaluation and the final writing and/or oral exam. Each of these contributes as 50%.
Students that are not, according to the regulations, compelled to attend the classes are required to realize a mandatory writing and oral exam.
The exam involves:
Writing work out: It involves all matters of the programmatic curricula. Final classification is between 0 and 20. A classification higher than 9.5 is required.
Oral work out: It involves all matters of the programmatic curricula.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Students that are not, according to the regulations, compelled to attend the classes are required to realize a mandatory writing and oral exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the regulations.

Classification improvement

A classification improvement could be carried out, according to the regulations.