Material for Drug Delivery Systems

Getting adequate and practical knowledge about the materials used in pharmaceutical technology, its overall classification, its processing, and its fundamental properties. A primary goal of the course is to develop the student's ability to provide solutions to technical problems related to biomaterials and pharmaceutical technology.

Unit 1. Excipients and their application in pharmacy: inorganic materials, lipid materials, natural and synthetic polymeric materials.

Unit 2. Physico-chemical properties of the materials and techniques for their characterization: particle size, morphology, hydrophilicity, swelling, self-assembly.

Unit 3. Interaction of materials with the biological environment and the techniques for their characterization, including: (bio-)degradation, protein adsorption, biocompatibility and other biological functions.

1. Aulton’s Pharmaceutics – The design and manufacture of medicines (6th Ed.) K. M. G. Taylor, M. E. Aulton
Editorial: Elsevier. 2021. ISBN: 9780702081545
2. Handbook of pharmaceutical excipients, 8th ed, R. Rowe, P. J. Sheskey, W.G. Cook, M.E. Fenton Eds., American Pharmaceutical Association & Pharmaceutical Press, Washington & London, 2017.
3. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: a nano approach. M. Ramalingam, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2013. ISBN: 9781439881859. (Biblioteca de Farmacia, FA-689).
4. Polymeric biomaterials, 2nd ed., Severian Dumitriu Ed., New York: Marcel Dekker, 2002.
5. Biomaterials and bioengineering handbook, Donald L. Wise Ed., New Cork: Marcel Dekker, 2000.

Learning objectives:
- Have a general knowledge of the materials commonly used in pharmaceutical applications.
CB1, CB2, CB3, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG11, CE1, CE2, CE3, CE8, CE15
- Understand the physico-chemical properties and the biological interactions of materials and the main methods for its characterization.
CB1, CB2, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG11, CE1, CE2, CE3, CE8
- Develop the ability to rationally select materials for their use in various pharmaceutical applications.
CB1, CB2, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG11, CE1, CE2, CE3, CE8
- Develop the ability to solve problems.
CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG2, CG5, CG7, CG10, CG11, CE3, CE6, CE8, CE11, CE15
- Develop the capacity for individual and team work.
CB2, CB4, CB5, CG4, CG7, CG8, CG9, CE5, CE6, CE14, CE15
- Develop the ability to communicate in different settings: presentations, brainstorming, teamwork.
CB2, CB4, CG3, CG5, CG6, CG8, CG10, CE6, CE13, CE14

• Lectures:
General knowledge and theory

• Seminars:
Specific issues will be presented to promote discussion of the students.
Others will be dedicated to the exhibition of projects elaborated by the students.

The teaching material (program, presentations, seminars, bibliographic material for seminars ... etc) will be provided to students periodically, before the corresponding classes and seminars

Continuous evaluation, based on active participation at lectures, seminars and in particular, in the development of the scientific project. Interaction during these activities will compose approximately the 50% of the final note. The other component (50% aprox) of the final note is the evaluation of the final exposition and defense of the scientific project.

Teaching hours: 30 h.

Student work hours: 45 h.

ECTS credits: 3.

Intermediate English level or higher

In case of fraudulent actions during examination or tests, the specific rules established by the Regulation for the evaluation, qualification and revision of academic performance will be applied.