PHARMACOENGINEERING AND MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS (DPMP)

Offers an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of nanomedicine for students with physical, chemical, or biological sciences background. It will emphasize emerging nanotechnologies and biomedical application.

This course explores cutting-edge topics in drug delivery and therapeutic applications. The course begins with an introduction to lipid drug carriers, followed by detailed discussions on liposomes and extracellular vesicles. Students will learn about peptides and protein delivery, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. The curriculum also covers cell therapies, microbiome and microbe-based drug carriers, and innovative concepts like protein corona, cellular backpacks, and membrane-coated nanoparticles. Further topics include oligonucleotides, nucleic acid therapies, viral vectors for gene therapy, and gene editing for therapeutic applications.

This course covers fundamental concepts in drug delivery systems and nanomedicine, including the preparation of journal articles, drug carriers, molecular forces, thermodynamics, and various drug transport mechanisms. It also delves into advanced topics such as in vitro and in vivo models, experimental design, and the pharmacokinetics of nanomedicines, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field.

Course covers the format and structure of R21 proposals. Students will explore polymer science fundamentals, including molecular weights (Mn, Mw), polydispersity index (PDI), and stimuli-responsive polymers. The curriculum covers step-growth and chain-growth reactions, polymerization methods (ATRP, RAFT), the regular solution model, LCST, UCST, theta temperature, and the Flory-Huggins model. Additionally, students will learn about polyelectrolytes, suspensions, emulsions, PEGylation, click chemistry, and nanoparticles in drug delivery. Additionally, the course will explore theranostics, microfabrication techniques, and the latest advancements in drug delivery systems for delivery to various regions of the body. Also, wearable sensors and diagnostics for low-income settings will be discussed.

A course designed to provide an understanding of the immune system and its application in vaccines, cells therapy, and drug delivery systems. The course begins with an introduction to the immune system, covering both innate and adaptive immunity, and their characterization. Students will explore in vivo immune system models and delve into vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer. The course also covers advanced therapeutic strategies, including checkpoint inhibitors, antibody therapy, cytokine therapy, and CAR T cell therapy.

Students will learn about scientific and grant writing as it pertains to writing an NSF fellowship.