150 credits, including 120 credits in biomedicine, pharmaceutical sciences, drug development, natural sciences and/or engineering. Previous studies must include (1) physical chemistry and pharmaceutics 13 credits or (2) Molecular Biopharmaceutics 7.5 credits.Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
The course covers the principles in nanomedicine, especially with regard to the connection between the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, possible administration routes and their interactions with cells and tissues in the body. Further, it deals with the behaviour of nanoparticles in biological fluids (e.g. plasma, intestinal fluid) and colloidal stability. We study the basic principles for active (with ligands) and passive (e.g. for cancer therapy) targeting and uptake of nanoparticles in cells and tissues in the body. Furthermore, the course will cover nanoparticle and nanocarrier properties including the most important synthesis routes and characterisation methods. The special focus is also on diagnostic materials that can be used in imaging techniques or in theranostic formulations that combine disease diagnosis and therapy. Finally, we will consider the toxic, pharmacokinetic and regulatory aspects of nanomaterials in biomedical applications. For toxicity, this includes a comparison of different external barriers that are exposed to nanomaterials, e.g. in the intestine, lungs, nose and skin.
