Overview
Advanced PhD courses aim to develop the knowledge acquired in the different PhD specialties. They are short courses, with a variable format, made up of curricular units or training modules specific to third cycle study programs.
The course addresses key issues associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), from its impact on Human Health to the development of novel therapeutical approaches to tackle this growing challenge. It aims to provide participants with an overview of the main classes of antimicrobial agents – including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic drugs – their mechanisms of action, and the pathways through which resistance develops. The course will be focused on providing an in-depth understanding of current and novel approaches to mitigate AMR, including the discovery and development of new treatment options.
Coordination:
Madalena Maria Vilela Pimentel, Full Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
Raquel Filipa Pinheiro Sabino Coelho, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon.
Carlos Jorge Sousa de São José, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
José Miguel Azevedo Pereira, Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon.
João Manuel Braz Gonçalves, Full Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.
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Legislation:
Programme
This course will run from January 19, 2026 to February 6, 2026, between 09:30 and 12:30 – 14:00 and 17:00 (GMT time), and will be entirely taught in person.
The course has a total of 30 training hours, which are equivalent to a total of 6 ECTS.
The training hours are distributed as follows:
Theoretical training hours: 20 hours
Practical hours: 05 hours
Tutorial hours: 05 hours
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COURSE PROGRAM
The program of this course is designed to cover the following topics regarding AMR associated with the different human infectious agents (bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites).
- Context, impact and overview of major challenges of AMR in the different infectious diseases
- Major etiological agents with AMR concerns
- Burden of AMR
- AMR in healthcare settings
- Classes and modes of action of the different antimicrobial agents
- Mechanisms underlying the emergence and dissemination of AMR
- Methods for assessing antimicrobial susceptibility and detecting resistance
- Conventional methods: microbiological culture and susceptibility testing
- Molecular methods: targeted PCR, sequencing of specific genes
- Innovation in antimicrobial developments
- New antimicrobial classes
- Novel therapeutical approaches
- Integrated measures and future directions to control AMR
Teaching Methodologies
TEACHING METHODOLOGIES:
Lectures and Seminars.
LEARNING AND THE SKILLS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE STUDENT:
By the end of this course, students are expected to:
- Be able to discuss the impact of AMR as a global health concern
- Increase knowledge in the mode of action of antimicrobials and drug resistance mechanisms
- Acquire skills on the available methods to evaluate and study AMR
- Recognize the landscape of antimicrobials development and the novel approaches to fight AMR
- Be equipped to critically analyze and propose innovative strategies to combat AMR
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY:
- Assessment applies to participants requiring a final grade and is based on active participation, and presentation and discussion of an inspiring project addressing the AMR challenges discussed during the course.
Application
Application period: from November 17, 2025 to December 12, 2025
Course start and end date: January 19 to February 06, 2026
Admission requirements:
Graduation in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Human and Veterinary Medicine and other related scientific areas.
Selection and ranking criteria:
CV and application date. Priority will be given to participants registered in a FFUL doctoral program
Minimum number of trainees for operation: 08
Maximum number of trainees: 30
Fees and tuition:
Application fee: €10 (Note: the application fee will not be refunded if the candidate is excluded or not selected).
Course fee: 250€
School Insurance: 2,10€
Note: FFUL doctoral students who wish to take the course as part of their compulsory 1st year curricular component are exempt from paying the application fee and the Course Fee.
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Application Process:
Applications for the course are made exclusively through the FenixEdu Platform of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon (FFUL).
Access to the FenixEdu Platform:
- If you have never been a student at FFUL you must pre-register on the FenixEdu Platform.
- If you are a former student of FFULisboa and have already had an account campus@ulisboa or @edu.ulisboa.pt you should access the FenixEdu Platform and authenticate yourself with your account data. If you have lost access to your account, you can recover your password in the ULisboa users area.
- If you are a former student of FFULisboa and have never had an account campus@ulisboa or @edu.ulisboa.pt you must send an email to cncg@ff.ulisboa.pt indicating your full name and ID document number.
Access the FenixEdu Platform.
- On the tab “Candidate”, choose the type of application: “Advanced Training Courses”, select the desired course.
- Fill out the online form and attach all the required documents in digital format. In the application process you can indicate whether you want the invoice to be issued in the name of another entity/company/institution.
- Select the “Submit” option.
Applications will only be validated by the Academic Services once the applicant has paid the Application Fee.
Contacts
For information regarding the application process and the course organization, please contact the Academic Office: doutoramentos@ff.ulisboa.pt
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