67169 - Pharmaceutical Nano- and Micro- Carriers with Practical Lab

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has theoretical and practical skills in the formulation of nano-and micro-systems for the conveyance of pharmaceutical biotech drugs. In particular, the student is able to: - describe the different types of nano-and micro-systems for the conveyance of biotech drugs - describe and use different methodologies formulation for the production of nano-and micro-pharmaceutical systems - illustrate the mechanisms of drug release from pharmaceutical systems based on deep knowledge of the technologies used in their production and properties of employed materials; - illustrate the different drug delivery strategies aimed at improving the bioavailability of biotech drugs.

Course contents

The course deals with the study of physico-chemical principles and factors that influence the design and performance of controlled release pharmaceutical formulations and it is fucused on the use of formulation technologies to produce carriers for biotechnological drugs.

Pharmaceutical carries for biotechonological drugs: micro and nano particulate carriers (spheres, capsules, liposomes, niosomes, polymeric micelles, solid lipid particles), macromolecular carriers, cellular carriers and viral carriers. Alternative routes for biotechnological drugs administration: oral route, transcutaneous route, nasal route and pulmonary route.Controlled release dosage forms: kinetic and spatial control of drug release. Main mechanisms of kinetic controlled drug release: reservoir systems, monolithic systems, osmotic pumps, swellable systems and chemically controlled systems. Pulsatile systems. Intelligent systems.  Main mechanisms of spatial controlled drug release: drug targeting and site-specific delivery. Pharmaceutical excipients and polymers for the formulation of drug delivery systems. 

Readings/Bibliography

P. Colombo et al., Principi e Tecnologie Farmaceutiche, casa Editrice Ambrosiana, Milano, I Ed. 2004

A.T. Florence, D. Attwood, Le basi chimico-fisiche della tecnologia farmaceutica, EdiSES, Napoli, 2002

Teaching methods

Theoretical lectures and practical laboratory.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. At the end of the practical laboratory, a multiple choice test will be made whose outcome will not lead to a vote, but to a skill useful to have access to the oral examination. For the oral examination, registration by AlmaEsami list is required.

Teaching tools

Video-projector and PC.

Office hours

See the website of Barbara Luppi