Translating Nanomedicines: Manufacturing and Characterization of Nanomedicines

The human body is a remarkably complex system where several nanoscale processes are occurring inside our cells and determining our health. Similarly, in nanoscale range, Nanomedicine brings multidimensional impacts to society that are sure to be debated for decades to come. There is increasing optimism that Nanotechnology, as applied to medicine, will bring significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Some of anticipated applications include Drug Delivery, Diagnostics, Gene and Cell therapy and, more recently, Theranostics. The importance of using Nanotechnology is also recognized by all worldwide agencies such as European

Medicines Agency (EMA), U.S. Food & Drug Administration, etc. Particularly, EMA highlights in its strategic reflection for 2025 the importance that these emerging technologies will have in future health care.

This course aims to bring together theoretical skills from other PhD Advanced courses of FFUL, but as a differentiating factor, to especially focus on Nanomedicines from design to its clinical use.

The course is unique in Portugal and with unusual characteristics in the international context. This course includes two modules. The aim of the two-module course is to train students with the knowledge and capacity to both conduct experimental research as well as interpret and critique others’ experimental research.

After being approved on the first module, on the second one, the student will:

1) Consolidate knowledge of the Nanomedicines;

2) Acquire skills in the use of methodologies and techniques for characterization of Nanomedicines;

3) Promote the ability to integrate acquired knowledge in identifying appropriate solutions to problems of interdisciplinary nature;

4) Stimulate the capacity of independent selection and application of advanced experimental techniques to solve problems of scientific and technological nature.

Once the laboratory part is completed, student will present and discuss a proposal of a potential nanomedicine to a panel of guests from different fields. Here, the student will improve the ability to publicly and under different forms, display ideas and communicate research findings, by selecting and using the most appropriate and modern communication.

Coordinator:

Ana Catarina Beco Pinto Reis 

Doctoral students in the context of their doctoral programs.

Researchers in training or belonging to research institutes or industry laboratories, aiming to develop nanomedicines.

This course will be held from June 03, 2024 to June 28, 2024 and has a total of 22.5h of course time.

Number of ECTS: 6 ECTS

Training hours are distributed as follows:

• Theory hours: 1h *
• Practical Hours : 1,5h**
• Lab Hours: 20h
• Tutorial Hours: 7,5 h

The course will run for 10 days:

Day 1 (2 h), Day 2 (2 h), Day 3 (2 h), Day 4 (3 h), Day 5 (2 h), Day 6 (3 h), Day 7 (3 h), Day 8 (3 h), Day 9 (1.5 h**), Day 10 (1 h*, presentation of work for evaluation)

PROGRAMME

1.  Preparation of nanoparticles (lipidic-based, metallic and polymeric nanoparticles).
2.  Applications of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) in particle size analysis and Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) in surface charge of the nanoparticles.
3.  Spectroscopic quantification methods.
4.  Surface morphology of nanoparticles: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
5. Cell Culture: Preclinical Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy.
6. In silico models and pharmacokinetic modeling.
7. In vivo models: Preclinical evaluation of Efficacy.

PRELIMINARY TIMETABLE

• Day 1 (2 h):

Preparation of nanoparticles (part 1).

• Day 2 (2 h):

Preparation of nanoparticles (part 2).

• Day 3 (2 h):

Particle size analysis (DLS) and surface charge (ELS) of nanoparticles.

• Day 4 (3h):

Morphology of nanoparticles by using AFM, SEM and TEM.

• Day 5 (2h):

Quantification of the model drug incorporated into liposomes by spectroscopic methods.

• Day 6 (3h):

In vitro Safety assessment.

• Day 7 (3h):

In vitro Safety assessment.

• Day 8 (3h):

In vitro Safety assessment.

• Day 9 (1.5h):

Scale-up of the manufacturing process of Nanomedicines.

• Day 10  (1h):

Presentation and discussion of a research project.

Applications and Registration: until may 15, 2024

Course Start and End Date: June 03, 2024 to June 28, 2024

***

Access Habilitations:

Master in health-related sciences such as pharmaceutical sciences, biology, biochemistry, medicine, biomedical engineering, and others.

Selection and seriation criteria:

Curriculum evaluation and, in case of a tie, order of arrival of the application.

• Minimum number of trainees for operation: 8
  Maximum number of trainees for operation: 25

***

Registration Fee:

• 350€ for general student enrollment

Note: FFUL doctoral students who wish to take the course as part of their 1st year compulsory component are exempt from paying the registration fee.

• School Insurance: 2.10

By application of paragraph e) of point 2 of Article 42 of the University of Lisbon’s Statutes, and taking into account the terms for the attribution of PRR funding under the “Impulso Adultos” program, the Organic Unit responsible for the coordination of each course may award academic performance prizes.

Access to the FenixEdu Platform:

• If you have never been a student at FFULisboa 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 doutoramentos@ff.ulisboa.pt indicating your full name and ID document number.

Access the FenixEdu Platform.

• On the “Applicant” tab, choose the type of application “Advanced Training Course – Translating Nanomedicines: Manufacturing and Characterization of Nanomedicines”
• Fill out the online form and attach all documents in digital format.
• Select the option “Submit”.

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.