The aim of the course is for the student to acquire knowledge enabling the appreciation of the structure and function of biological barriers, as they are relevant to understand and develop means of non-invasive drug delivery and sensing.

The course outlines the current understanding of the structure and function of biological barriers. Colloidal and surface chemical features of barriers, specifically relating to nails, skin, mucous membranes, and plant cuticle are addressed. The barriers are considered as being exposed to air or solutions, and the different cases are explored separately. Barrier properties are explained in terms of adsorption, absorption, partition, diffusion, assessing kinetics and thermodynamics of transport through membranes. Effects of exogenous factors on structure-function relationships are emphasized. Particularly, the effects that are caused by changes of temperature, relative humidity, water activity and other ambient conditions are considered. Cases when these conditions are regulated or modelled by applying formulations are discussed. Pharmaceutical aspects are covered in brief. Modern non-invasive and minimally invasive drug delivery and sensing technologies are reviewed, e.g., micro-needle patches, iontophoresis, etc.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to

A variety of methods, including interactive lectures/discussions, journal club, laboratory experiments and self-studies will be employed for the purpose of achieving the learning outcomes 1-4. The particular work formats are chosen to secure student engagement and active student participation. Laboratory exercises and reports submissions are mandatory, enabling the achievement of learning outcome 4.

The learning outcomes 1-3 are examined through a written individual examination. The examination will emphasize the students’ ability to collect and integrate basic phenomena and settings, expressed as the dynamics of biological barriers, and also the ability to reflect on barrier ambient condition interactions. Individual written reports will examine the methodologically oriented learning outcome 4. Examination details are given in the study guide.

A student who fails to achieve a passing grade in the course examination will be given the opportunity to be re-examined twice according to same course content and with the same requirements. In addition, students also have the right to be examined on the same course the next time the course is offered according to the same regulations. If the course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student has a right to re-examination on two occasions within one year, based on the syllabus that was in place at the time the student registered for the course. Examination and re-examination take place at the times specified in the schedule.

Aulton, M., Taylor, K. Eds (2013) Aulton's Pharmaceutics, 4th ed., The Design and Manufacture of Medicines, Churchill Livingstone, pp.736.

Evans, D. F., Wennerström, H. (1999) The colloidal domain: Where physics, chemistry, biology, and technology meet. Wiley, NY, pp. 632.

Kulkarni, V. S., Ed (2010) Handbook of non-invasive drug delivery systems. Non-invasive and minimally invasive drug delivery systems for pharmaceutical and personal care products. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 301.

Scientific articles will be added.

The course coordinator/examiner is responsible for ensuring the course evaluation. The course evaluation will be conducted in connection with the completion of the course. The course coordinator will relay the results to the students at a prearranged time. Memory notes from the feedback, including proposals for changes to the course, will be documented and made available on the course website, and will also be relayed to the students who begin the course the next time it is given.