FAR-8043 Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology - 15 stp

Nanotechnology has emerged as 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.

Registration deadline for PhD students and students at the Medical Student Research Program at Uit - The Arctic University of Norway: September 1st

Application deadline for external applicants: June 1st

Application code 9303

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian master´s degree of five years or 3+ 2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. Valid documentation is a statement from your institution that you are a registered PhD student, or a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. PhD students are exempt from semester fee.

PhD students at other institutions must document their student status in order to get exemption for student fee.

For more information regarding PhD courses at the Faculty of Health Sciences go to: http://uit.no/helsefak/forskning/phd/emner

Recommended preparatory course: FAR-3043 or Biomedical background.

Upon the completion of the course, the student will be able to

• understand and evaluate various delivery systems used in the field of nanomedicine.
• critically evaluate the advantages and disadvatages of various nanodelivery systems.
• understand basic nanotechnological principles and characterization methods used in nanotechnology and nanomedicine.
• follow the newest findings in the area of nanomedicine and implement the perspectives in own research.

Work requirements: The student is expected to attend all lectures, seminars and colloquium. Seminars with active participation and group presentation (oral) are obligatory and build up to the final assignment.

Exam: Exam in a form of an essay (maximum 15 pages), involving deeper understanding of literature, critical evaluation of published literature with personal commentary. Marking as pass/not pass.

Continuation exam early in following semester. Application deadline for continuation exam is August 15th.

Recommended books:

Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology by

G.L. Hornyak, H.F. Tibbals, J, Dutta, John J. Moore; Taylor and Francis, 2008

Nanoparticulates as Drug Carriers by

V. P. Torchilin; Imperial College Press, 2006

Biomedical Nanotechnology by

N. H. Malsch; CRC Taylor and Frances, 2005

Biomimetic, Bioresponsive and Bioactive Materials by

M. Santin, G. J. Phillips, Wiley, 2012

Specialized journals such as:

Journal of Nanomedicine,

Nanomedicine

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology,

Journal of Nanoparticle Research,

Nano Letters,

International Journal of Nanomedicine