Pharmaceutical Biophysics

This course is designed for PhD students, postgraduates, and researchers from institutes or industry who wish to deepen their knowledge of pharmaceutical biophysics. It offers a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to understand the physicochemical principles underlying biological processes, with a particular focus on the crucial role of biological membranes in pharmacological activity. Participants will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with advanced biophysical methodologies, enabling them to analyse and characterise complex biological and pharmacological systems.

By integrating theoretical concepts with practical applications, this programme fosters critical thinking and aims to prepare the next generation of researchers and industry professionals to tackle the challenges of modern drug discovery and development. Additionally, it highlights how biophysics contributes to accelerating the discovery of new drugs, bridging academic research and industrial innovation, and driving advances in pharmaceutical sciences and therapeutic development.

Coordination:

• Liana Casquinha da Silva, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon;
• Liane Isabel Ferreira Moura, Junior Researcher, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon.

***

Legislation:

Regulamento n.º 638/2016 – Regulamento dos Cursos Não Conferentes de Grau da Faculdade de Farmácia da ULisboa

The course will take place from December 15, 2025, to January 23, 2026, with in-person sessions scheduled for December 15–17, 2025, January 15 and 16, and January 23, 2026.

The course has a total duration of 22.5 hours, corresponding to 6 ECTS credits.

The training hours are distributed as follows:

• Theoretical training: 9 hours

• Practical training: 3.5 hours

• Laboratory training: 9 hours

• Tutorial guidance: 1 hours

Course Location: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon.

Preliminary Schedule:

The theoretical component will consist of 2.5 days of seminars (December 15–17, 2025, 9:30 AM–5:00 PM), delivered in-person and/or in hybrid format, and organised into thematic sessions:

• Session I will introduce the structure and function of biological membranes, highlighting their critical role in pharmacological activity. This session will also cover the biochemical and biophysical principles underlying essential cellular processes involved in drug–target interactions.
• Session II will provide an overview of various biophysical methodologies, with an emphasis on how these tools are applied in drug discovery and development to accelerate the identification of both therapeutic targets and drug candidates.
• Session III will focus on how biophysical studies contribute to the development of safer and more effective therapeutic agents, examining examples of drug–membrane interactions and their role in reducing toxicity.

The seminars will be delivered by invited experts.

Workshops (Laboratory Component) – Two full days (January 15–16, 2026, 9:30 AM–5:00 PM) will be dedicated to experimental workshops, where participants will have the opportunity to develop small research projects using various biophysical methodologies. Preliminary data obtained will be used for the preparation of written research proposals, reinforcing the practical application of the course content.

Practical Training – This will consist of group project preparation, independent analysis of results, and presentation of the proposed project in a pitch format (January 23, 2026, 9:30 AM–11:00 AM).

***

STUDY PLAN

The functions of cells and organisms are governed by a complex network of coordinated events, many of which are profoundly influenced by biophysical processes. This Pharmaceutical Biophysics course will explore various aspects of molecular and cellular biophysics that are essential for understanding the mechanisms of interaction between bioactive compounds and biological systems, with a particular focus on biological membranes.

The course aims to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge and to develop the practical skills necessary to understand the physicochemical principles underlying these interactions, enabling them to analyse and characterise complex biological and pharmacological systems. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to explore both established and emerging biophysical technologies, equipping them to face the challenges in drug discovery and development.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY:

Informal seminars and workshops conducted with experts in the field; Project-Based Learning through the development of practical and applied projects.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED BY THE STUDENT:

Through practical activities and collaborative projects, students will be prepared to tackle challenges in drug discovery and development. The course aims to foster innovation in pharmaceutical sciences, enabling students to actively contribute to the advancement of the field.

Skills to be acquired include:

• Development of knowledge on the physicochemical principles governing biological processes and the interaction of bioactive compounds with biological systems;
• Ability to apply biophysical methodologies to analyse and characterise biological and pharmacological systems;
• Enhancement of teamwork skills, critical analysis of experimental data, and scientific communication;
• Encouragement of creative thinking, particularly in the development and presentation of innovative projects.

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY:

Application Period:from October 31, 2025, to November 30, 2025.

Course start and end dates:December 15, 2025, to January 23, 2026.

Target Audience:
This course is intended for PhD students and postgraduates in the fields of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, and other related disciplines who wish to expand their knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical biophysics. It is also suitable for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, researchers, and technicians who want to deepen their experience in advanced biophysical methodologies and their application in drug discovery and therapeutic development.

Admission Requirements:

Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, or related areas. Candidates with relevant academic background and experience in scientific research or the pharmaceutical industry may also be considered.

Scientific Area(s) or Specialization:

Molecular Pharmaceutical Toxicology.

Vacancies:

• Minimum number of trainees for operation: 05
• Maximum number of trainees for operation: 25

Required Documents for Application: Academic Certificate and Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Application Fees and Tuition:

• Application fee: 10€ (Note: the application fee will not be refunded if the candidate is excluded or not selected).
• Course Tuition: €250
• School Insurance Fee: 2,10€

Note: FFUL PhD students who wish to take the course as part of their mandatory 1st-year curriculum are exempt from the registration fee.

***

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.

For information regarding the application process and the course organization, please contact the Academic Services: doutoramentos@ff.ulisboa.pt