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535-0423-00L 2 Credits BSC , MSC , NDS D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET , D-CHAB
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Drug Delivery and Drug Targeting

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Jean-Christophe Leroux
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:44

Abstract

The students gain an overview on current principles, methodologies and systems for controlled delivery and targeting of drugs. This enables the students to understand and evaluate the field in terms of scientific criteria.

Objective

After completing this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain the fundamental principles and current systems used for controlled drug delivery and targeting. 2. Describe key technologies and methods involved in the design and evaluation of targeted delivery systems. 3. Analyze the opportunities and limitations of different approaches for the therapeutic use of delivery systems. 4. Apply this knowledge to examples involving anticancer drugs, therapeutic peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and vaccines. 5. Evaluate emerging strategies for improving the specificity, efficacy, and safety of drug delivery and targeting.

Content

The course covers the following topics: drug targeting and delivery principles, macromolecular drug carriers, liposomes, micelles, micro/nanoparticles, gels and implants, administration of vaccines, targeting at the gastrointestinal level, synthetic carriers for nucleic acid drugs, ophthalmic devices, novel trends in transdermal and nasal drug delivery and 3D printing of drug delivery systems.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Selected lecture notes, documents and supporting material will be directly provided or may be downloaded from the course website.

Literature

A.M. Hillery, K. Park. Drug Delivery: Fundamentals & Applications, second edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2017. B. Wang B, L. Hu, T.J. Siahaan. Drug Delivery - Principles and Applications, second edition, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken NJ, 2016. Further references will be provided in the course.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Short oral communication about a recent publication in the field of drug delivery and targeting (40%). Oral examination on one or more randomly selected topics of the course (ca. 20 min) (60%).

Registration & Places

Max Places
35
Signup End
21.09.2025
Priority: Registration for the course unit is until 12.09.2025 only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Drug Delivery and Drug Targeting
  • Tue 12:45-15:30 (HIL E 9)
1.5 h weekly

Offered In