Biological barriers are indispensable for the integrity and function of many human organs. Moreover, most of the times, bioactive compounds pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are affected by their interaction with the physiological barriers. Indeed, bioactive compounds, drugs and nanoparticles need to cross biological barriers to reach their target and, in some cases, act at the barrier level. The course will explore the molecular structure and function of biological barriers such as skin, lung, gastrointestinal and blood brain barriers. The most used in vitro models for each one of these barriers will be discussed regarding their advantages and disadvantages, and the limitations regarding the translation to the human body.
The course will be composed by a theoretical and a significant hands-on component.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
May 21
9H30 - 10H00 - Welcome Reception
Salette Reis - Associate Professor - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
10H00 - 11H00 -The walls impairing efficient therapies
Cláudia Nunes - FCT Investigator - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
11H30 - 12H30 - Biological membranes: the first barrier
Catarina Pereira Leite - Post-Doctoral Researcher - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
14H30 - 18H00 - Hands-on training: Membrane permeability
Cláudia Nunes - FCT Investigator - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
Catarina Pereira Leite - Post-Doctoral Researcher - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
May 22
10h00-11h00 - The dynamic blood-brain barrier and the quest to find the entrance
Sofia Santos - Junior Researcher - i3S - nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies
11h30 - 12h30 - Tackling the gastric barrier. Concepts, models and challenges
Daniel Ferreira - BioTechHealth Doctoral Programme, i3S
14H30 - 18H00 - Hands-on training: Transwell devices
Sofia Costa LIma - FCT Investigator - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
Tânia Moniz - Post-Doctoral Researcher - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
May 23
10h00-11h00 - Skin
Invited speaker.
11h30 - 12h30 - Skin: practical aspects
Sofia Costa LIma - FCT Investigator - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
14H30 - 18H00 - Hands-on training: Franz cells
Sofia Costa LIma - FCT Investigator - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
Tânia Moniz - Post-Doctoral Researcher - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
May 24
10h00-11h00 - Pulmonary Barrier
Invited speaker.
11h30 - 12h30 - Pulmonary Barrier: practical aspects
Marina Pinheiro - Post-Doctoral Researcher - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto
14H30 - 18H00 - Hands-on training: Langmuir monolayers
Marina Pinheiro - Post-Doctoral Researcher - LAQV, REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto