WP1/Copenhagen: PhD course in Biological Membranes, Drug Targets and Absorption Barriers
Studies on the biochemistry, biophysics and the barrier function of biological membranes are in rapid progress. An understanding of the structural and dynamic functions of the membranes may add to a more rational design of drug substances with improved permeation characteristics or specific membrane effects. Membrane transport proteins are important both as pharmacological targets and as potential drug delivery pathways. Membrane receptors are important drug targets, and may also be of importance as drug uptake pathways. The course will deal with biological membranes and their embedded transport and receptor proteins from a pharmacological and pharmaceutical point of view.
The course will deal with biological membranes and their embedded transport and receptor proteins from a pharmacological and pharmaceutical point of view. The course will cover various aspects of the following topics:
- Structure and function of biological membranes
- Physiological structures in the plasma membrane
- Transport and receptor proteins in the plasma membrane
- Drug substances acting on biological membranes/transporters
- Structure and function of barrier tissues
- Strategies to improve transport of drugs across biological membranes and barrier tissues
- Membrane lipids as precursors of bioactive molecules
Knowledge
The students will gain an in-depth knowledge of membrane lipids, membrane biophysics, transporter proteins and transporter protein function. This will be coupled with a knowledge of interactions at the level of signal transduction pathways and effector systems, which give the students and understanding of how molecular mechanisms can be integrated into an overall physiological response. The participant be able to analyze the roles of these molecular mechanisms in pathophysiology.
Skills
The students will obtain skills to explain, analyze and argue in scientific discussions of both their own work (presented at the beginning of the course) and of subjects treated during the course. Special emphasis is given to this, in dedicated discussion sessions. Furthermore, we aim to promote critical thinking and reflections on scientific results and paradigms, and thus encourage students to participate in discussions after scientific presentations by lecturers.
Competencies
The students will gain a broader view of the field of membrane biophysics, transport protein and receptor function and related signal transduction pathways. This will give them the ability to reflect critically on subject matters within the filed, evaluate scientific soundness of experimental results and put them into a larger perspective within drug delivery and function.
Participants
The course is aimed at PhD-students within the life sciences, performing research related to biological membranes/transport proteins/receptor proteins, and with an interest in pharmacology and/or pharmaceutics. The students should have a Masters degree within the natural sciences or an equivalent curriculum.
This course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except Copenhagen Business School), and for PhD students at graduate schools in the other Nordic countries.
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at a Danish university, you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. This also applies to PhD students from Nordic countries. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list.
Registration
Please, find more information and register via course official website: https://phdcourses.dk/Course/74231