Block I:

1. Fundamentals of Drug and Protein Delivery

• Basic concepts of controlled drug delivery: why is it needed?
• Principles of controlled and sustained release, kinetic models of drug release (zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, Korsmeyer-Peppas).
• Routes of administration: Oral, topical, transdermal, intravenous, intranasal, etc.
• Mechanisms of drug and protein transport: Diffusion, active and passive transport, endocytosis.

2. Materials for Drug and Protein Delivery Systems

• Nanoparticles (polymeric,metallic, solid lipid), liposomes, micelles, and cyclodextrin: For encapsulation and release of active ingredients.
• Biocompatible polymers: Natural and synthetic (PEG, PLGA) in formulations for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
• Protein-based delivery systems: Monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins.
• New delivery technologies: Exosomes, MOFs, hydrogels, stimulus-responsive delivery systems (pH, temperature, light).

3. Advances in Biotechnology and Applied Bioengineering

• Recombinant proteins and peptides in cosmetics: Development and production of specific proteins with cosmetic and medical applications.
• Tissue engineering: Use of biomaterials and proteins in skin regeneration and anti-aging.
• Advanced biomaterials for cosmetics: Polymers and bio-inspired systems to enhance product efficacy.

4. Toxicity and Regulations

• Biocompatibility and toxicity: Evaluation of the safety of materials used in delivery systems.
• Regulation and standards: Regulatory requirements for the approval of cosmetic products and delivery systems (EMA, FDA, ISO). Specific focus on regulation that directly apply to delivery systems (e.g. nanomaterial regulation, microplastic).

Block II:

5. Mechanisms of Transdermal and Topical Delivery

• Skin and tissue physiology: Physical and chemical barriers to active ingredient penetration for skin, hair, nails and mucous.
• Methods to enhance skin permeability: Use of penetration enhancers, lipid-based vehicles, nanotechnology, iontophoresis, microneedles, ultrasound, etc.
• Evaluation of transdermal and topical penetration: In vitro and in vivo techniques to measure the efficacy of active ingredient penetration.

6. Applications in Cosmetics

• Delivery of active ingredients in cosmetics: Vitamins, antioxidants, peptides, natural extracts and proteins in topical products.
• Encapsulation systems in cosmetic products: Nanoparticles, nanoemulsion, vesicles, and other nanosystems for controlled release of ingredients.
• Formulations for skin and hair care: Delivery of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, retinoids, etc.
• New trends in advanced cosmetics: Cosmeceuticals, biomimetic ingredients, personalized products, neurocosmetics, nutricosmetics
• Smart cosmetics: Use of sensors and digital technologies for personalized ingredient delivery.
• Impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the design of delivery systems.

7. Product Development and Evaluation

• Formulation design: Methods for developing and optimizing formulations for the delivery of active ingredients. Principles of formulation for drug delivery systems and final products.
• Characterization of delivery systems: Physicochemical methods to assess encapsulation efficiency, release, and bioavailability of active ingredients, drug interaction and particle size studies, rheology, advanced microscopy techniques.
• Stability of drugs and proteins in different delivery forms: Factors affecting chemical and physical stability (pH, temperature, light).
• Preclinical and clinical testing: In vitro and in vivo evaluation methods to validate the efficacy and safety of delivery systems.
• Scale-up: Laboratory batches to plant production techniques

Block III:

8. Contact Lenses as Drug and Protein Delivery Devices

• Anatomy and physiology of the human eye: Natural barriers and challenges to achieve an effective ocular drug delivery.
• Overview of drug delivery through contact lenses: Contact lenses as a novel vehicle for sustained drug delivery, offering an alternative to traditional eye drops.
• Materials for drug-loaded contact lenses: Hydrogels and silicone-based materials that can be engineered to carry and release drugs and proteins over time.
• Mechanisms of drug release from contact lenses: Diffusion, molecular imprinting, and surface modification techniques for controlled release of active ingredients.
• Association of contact lenses with other drug delivery systems.
• Cosmetic and therapeutic applications:
  • Cosmetic applications: Colored and tinted lenses that incorporate active ingredients such as vitamins and moisturizing agents for enhancing eye health and appearance.
  • Therapeutic applications: Contact lenses for the sustained release of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or treatments for conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, or conjunctivitis.
  • Additional applications of the mentioned drug delivery systems in pharmaceutics and cosmetics.
  • Challenges and future directions: Overcoming challenges related to lens material biocompatibility, drug loading capacity, and ensuring patient comfort while delivering a therapeutic or cosmetic benefit.