MS4614: Practical Laboratory in Drug Delivery Systems
| Academic Units | 1 |
| Semester | 2 |
| Pre-requisite(s) | HW0288 |
| Co-requisite(s) | MS4612 |
Course Instructors
Course AIMS
This undergraduate elective module in Nanomedicine aims to:
- Provide students with a foundational understanding of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems and their biomedical applications.
- Develop practical skills in the formulation and encapsulation of therapeutic agents, such as liposomal delivery of anticancer drugs.
- Introduce key techniques for nanoparticle characterization, including size determination, surface charge, lipid content, and encapsulation efficiency.
- Equip students with the ability to design and perform in vitro and in vivo assays for evaluating nanoparticle performance, including cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, biodistribution, imaging, and pharmacokinetics.
- Bridge theoretical concepts with experimental practice through small-group, hands-on laboratory sessions.
- Cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills applicable to translational nanomedicine research.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon the successful completion of this course, you (student) would be able to:
- Explain the principles of nanomedicine and the rationale for using nanoparticles in drug delivery.
- Formulate a nanoscale drug delivery system (e.g., liposomes) and encapsulate a model therapeutic agent such as doxorubicin.
- Apply nanoparticle characterization techniques (e.g., NTA, DLS, zeta potential measurement, lipid quantitation, encapsulation efficiency) and interpret the resulting data.
- Design and conduct in vitro assays to evaluate nanoparticle performance, including cellular uptake and cytotoxicity.
- Analyze data from in vivo–related applications such as biodistribution, tumour imaging, and pharmacokinetics.
- Integrate theoretical knowledge with laboratory findings to assess the potential of nanomedicine approaches in translational research.
- Collaborate effectively in small groups to plan, execute, and troubleshoot experimental procedures.
- Communicate experimental results and interpretations clearly in an oral presentation using scientific.
Course Content
Session 1 – Formulation of Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
Lecture/Demo (2h):
o Introduction to nanomedicine and clinical relevance.
o Overview of nanocarriers (liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles).
o Principles of drug encapsulation (passive vs active loading).
o Introduction to cell culture
Lab (4h):
o Preparation of liposomes via thin-film hydration.
o Encapsulation of doxorubicin (model anticancer drug).
o Observation of vesicle formation.
o Determination of encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin.
Session 2 – Nanoparticle Characterization and Invitro test
Lecture/Demo (2h):
o Characterization methods: size (DLS, NTA), surface charge (zeta potential)
o Interpreting particle stability and formulation quality.
o In vitro assays: cellular uptake, cytotoxicity
Lab (4h):
o Measurement of liposome size distribution and zeta potential.
o Data collection and analysis.
o Cell uptake (fluorescence microscopy demo with pre-prepared samples).
o Cytotoxicity assay results analysis (provided dataset).
Session 3 – Biological Evaluation and Applications
Lecture/Demo (2h):
o In vivo applications: biodistribution, tumour targeting, imaging, pharmacokinetics.
o Translational considerations (case studies: Doxil, mRNA lipid nanoparticles).
Lab/Data Analysis (4h):
o Invivo biodistribution/imaging observation.
o Data collection and analysis.
Session 4 – Seminar/ Presentation (3h)
Reading and References
The listing below comprises the foundational readings for the course and more up-to-date relevant readings will be provided when they become available.
- Treatise on Controlled Drug Delivery, A.Kydonieus, Editor. Marcel Dekker, 1992.
- Biomaterials Science, An Introduction to Materials in Medicine, B.D. Ratner, A.S. Hoffman, F.J. Schoen, J.E. Lemons, 3rd Edition, Academic Press, 2013
- Handbook of Pharmaceutical Controlled Release Technology, D.L. Wise, 1st Edition, CRC Press, 2000.