Translating Nanomedicines – Hands-on: Manufacturing and characterizing Nanomedicines

This course programme was designed to train researchers from Institutes and/or Industry in the field of Nanomedicines, providing the necessary knowledge to understand the manufacturing process, the scale-up process, the main methodologies and techniques to characterise pharmaceutical quality attributes, as well as the non-clinical and clinical requirements of Nanomedicines. The course also aims to address issues related to Regulatory Science, Ethics, Intellectual Property, and Patents in the field of Nanomedicines.

Coordination:
Ana Catarina Beco Pinto Reis, Associate Professor with Habilitation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon

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Legislation:

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

This course will take place from July 1 to July 24, 2026.

The course has a total workload of 32.5 hours, corresponding to 6 ECTS.

The training hours are distributed as follows:

• Theoretical hours: 0h

• Practical hours: 2,5h

• Laboratory hours: 20h

• Tutorial guidance: 10h

Schedule: Daytime

Course Venue: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FFUL) and Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon (FCUL)

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COURSE PROGRAMME

• Preparation of nanoparticles (lipidic, metallic, and polymeric nanoparticles).
• Applications of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) for particle size analysis and Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) for nanoparticle surface charge determination.
• Spectroscopic quantification methods.
• Surface morphology of nanoparticles: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
• Cell Culture: Preclinical Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy.
• In silico models and pharmacokinetic modeling.
• In vivo models: Preclinical Evaluation of Efficacy.

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

Practical/laboratory classes and development of a research project.

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND SKILLS TO BE ACQUIRED BY THE STUDENT

It is intended that students acquire multidisciplinary knowledge in the field of Nanomedicines and autonomously systematise existing information based on scientific and technical literature, which will serve as a working basis for the development of a research project. Students will also develop skills for independent research, both individually and in teams, as well as analytical and discussion skills regarding the economic consequences and the socio-cultural and ethical implications of research and development in Nanomedicines, including knowledge integration and the ability to identify patentable results or research outcomes with potential for commercial exploitation.

The student will:

• Consolidate knowledge of Nanomedicines;
• Acquire skills in the use of methodologies and techniques for the characterisation of Nanomedicines;
• Promote the ability to integrate acquired knowledge in identifying suitable solutions to interdisciplinary problems;
• Stimulate the capacity for independent selection and application of advanced experimental techniques to solve scientific and technological problems.

Upon completion of the laboratory component, the student will present and discuss a proposal for a potential nanomedicine before a panel of guests from different fields. In this stage, the student will enhance their ability to publicly present ideas and communicate research findings effectively in various formats, selecting and using the most appropriate and modern communication tools.

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

70% of the final grade will correspond to the mark obtained in the Nanomedicine Project (scale 0 to 20) and the remaining 30% to Continuous Assessment (0 to 20). To pass, the final grade must be equal to or greater than 9.5. There is also the possibility of improving the final grade. In this case, the student will be required to take an oral exam.

The Nanomedicine Project will be subject to both oral and written evaluation, accounting for 60% and 40% of the final grade (scale 0 to 20), respectively. The oral presentation will take place on the 10th day of training, with a maximum duration of 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of discussion, involving the participation of the coordinator, the guest panel, and the other students.

This presentation will be preceded by the submission of a one-page (A4) summary, which synthesises the content of the oral presentation and serves as the basis for evaluating the written component.

For Continuous Assessment, the following parameters will be considered: attendance (more than 2/3), punctuality, engagement, and critical thinking. To pass, the final grade must be equal to or greater than 9.5.

Application Period: January 1 to June 30, 2026

Course Start and End Dates: July 1 to July 24, 2026

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Target Audience

Researchers in training or affiliated with research institutes or industry laboratories, aiming to develop Nanomedicines.

Entry Requirements

Competence in research in health-related sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, biology, biochemistry, medicine, biomedical engineering, among others.

Selection and Ranking Criteria

Submission of an updated CV.

• Minimum number of participants for course operation: 8
• Maximum number of participants for course operation: 25

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Fees and Tuition

• Application Fee: €10 (Note: The application fee is non-refundable if the applicant is excluded or not selected.)
• Course Tuition: €350
• Student Insurance: €2.10

Note: PhD students of FFUL who wish to take the course as part of their compulsory first-year curriculum are exempt from paying the application fee and course tuition.

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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.

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

For scientific information regarding the teaching of the course, please contact the Course Coordination.