Type of course

Admission requirements

PhD students and students at the Student Research Programme, or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted.

External PhD students and students at other student research programmes, must upload a document from their university stating that they are registered students. Others need to document that they are qualified.

Mandatory prerequisites:

Students are expected to have skills equivalent to a Master's degree in pharmacy.

Course content

Nanotechnology has emerged as a distinct discipline with integrated, multidisciplinary and specialized scientific topics. This course focuses on recent developments in the field of nanomedicine from physical basics, biological aspects, medical applications and concerns related to manufacturing, reliability and safety of nano-scale medicines.

The course structure is as follows:

1) Nanotechnology: concept, current status

2) Nanomedicine: concept, current status

3) Nanotechnology in medicinal imaging: smarter diagnostic modalities a) microfluidics and nanoarrays b) fluorescent labels and imaging c) local probes and high-resolution imaging d) targeted imaging

4) Nanoscale technology: technological platforms used in manufacturing of nano-sized systems

5) Polymers and materials used in micro- and nano-fabrication: nanocoatings and nanostructured surfaces for medical application

6) Nanosized drug delivery systems a) lipid vesicles b) polymer-based delivery c) nanocrystals d) nanoshells e) non-injectable nanovectors

7) Intelligent therapeutics: concept of "smart drugs" a) intelligent biomaterials (responsive hydrogels and configurationally imprinted biomimetic polymers) b) nano-fabrication techniques for intelligent therapeutics c) diagnostic-sensing systems d) tissue engineering e) recognitive systems

8) Limitations and perspectives

9) Nanotechnology and human future: policy, ethics and safety issues

Parts 3,4,5,7 and 8 will be taught only in FAR-8043.

Objectives of the course

By completion of the course, attendants will have the following learning outcomes

Knowledge

• on how to design, develop and characterize drug delivery system based on nanotechnology (nanomedicine)
• on how to optimize the selected nanomedicine in regard to the therapeutic outcome as well as toxicity issues
• on how to adjust the nanomedicine to the site of drug administration and achieve drug targeting
• on how to critically evaluate the marketed products and the potentials of novel nanomedicine
• on how to involve and actively participate in discussions on limitations and promises of nanotechnology and nanomedicine

Skills

• be able to participate in designing nanomedicine with superior properties
• be able to select most appropriate methods to fully characterize the nanomedicine
• be able to evaluate the marketed products and novel delivery systems

General competence

• understand the relevant literature, with emphasis on newest advancements
• be able to critically evaluate interplay between therapeutic benefits and toxicity issues of nanomedicine
• be able to apply theoretical knowledge in design of novel nanomedicine for targeted therapy

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods