Molecular Nanosystems: from principles to applications

Contenu du cours

In 2025-2026, the course will be integrated into the Francqui Chair awarded to Professor Nora Ventosa, who will deliver a series of seminars on the design and commercialization of nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

Prof. Nora Ventosa research is focused in the development and application of eco-efficient technologies, based on theuse of dense gases, for the processing and nanostructuration of molecular materials for biomedical applications and in their physic-chemical characterization. Among the most relevant results is the development of the DELOS platforms, which have demonstrated their effectiveness for the nanoformulation of therapeutic biomolecules. There are three nanoformulations, developed in Ventosa’s lab, currently under pharmaceutical development: 1) nanoformulation of epithelial growth factors in nanovesicular structures, named quatsomes and developed also in Ventosa’s lab, for the topical treatment of complex wounds, e.g. diabetic foot and venous ulcers; 2) nanoformulation of deficient enzymes in lysosomal diseases, such as Fabry, into new nanoliposomes functionalized with targeting peptides. Nanoformulated GLA enzyme has been declared on 6.1.2021 Orphan Drug by the EMA and the EC (EU/3/20/2396) for Fabry disease treatment; and under EU project Phoenix (https://www.phoenix-oitb.eu/) will be scaled-up and manufactured under GMP to enable its clinical testing; 3) nanoformulation of miRNA in new pH-sensitive Quatsomes for the treatment of pediatric neuroblastoma. These nanoformulation platforms and medicinal products are protected by several international granted patents and licensed to private pharmaceutical companies

Objectifs (et/ou acquis d'apprentissages spécifiques)

Apply all acquired knowledge in chemistry to critically analyse the complex issues related to the production and use of nanomaterials in biomedical applications.

Méthodes d'enseignement et activités d'apprentissages

In groups, and under the supervision of the teacher, students will have to identify in the literature a potential new delivery system and analyse its developement potential. Students will prepare an oral presentation on the topic for their colleagues.

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

Chemical and Engineering News (American Chemical Society) - https://cen.acs.org

Support(s) de cours

Université virtuelle

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

In-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering
The flexibility and adaptability to work in an international and/or intercultural context
An integrated insight in chemical process and materials' technology
Ability to reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)
Ability to conceive, plan and execute a research project, based on an analysis of its objectives, existing knowledge and the relevant literature, with attention to innovation and valorization in industry and society
Report correctly on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper
Present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience
Collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team
Develop, plan, execute and manage engineering projects at the level of a starting professional
Think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information
Adopt a critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others
Be conscious of the ethical, social, environmental and economic context of his/her work and strives for sustainable solutions to engineering problems including safety and quality assurance aspects

Autres renseignements

Contacts

Prof. Gilles Bruylants : e-mail: gilles.bruylants@ulb.be; bureau P2.2.110

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

Travail de groupe
Présentation orale

Travail de groupe

Présentation orale

Presentation:

Quality of the presentation
Structure of the presentation
Scientificités content

Written report:

Ability to synthesize
Clarity of the reported results
Analysis of the results and conclusions
Wording, grammar, ease to read
Bibliography

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

The grade will be the average of the marks given fro the group presentation and scientific report.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

anglais

Recherche