PhD courses at University of Copenhagen

Human Digestion and Absorption - a mechanistic understanding
Provider: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Activity no.: 3117-13-00-00
	Enrollment deadline: 14/02/2013

Date and time	11.03.2013, at: 09:00 - 15.03.2013, at: 16:00
Regular seats	16
Course fee	2,640.00 kr.
Lecturers	Anette Müllertz
ECTS credits	4.80

Contact person	Janne Steen Kjærulf E-mail address: janne.kjaerulff@sund.ku.dk

Enrolment Handling/Course Organiser	PhD administration E-mail address: phdkursus@sund.ku.dk

Aim and content Aim The course objectives are to give participants an in-depth insight into the gastrointestinal tract, human digestion and absorption system and to present methodologies and models for optimized oral delivery of drugs, nutraceuticals and functional ingredients. Content Although oral drug delivery is the most common and convenient way for patients to take medicine, the existence of a variety of enzymes and barriers in the gastrointestinal tract presents a challenge. When optimizing oral drug delivery systems, it is important to have a fundamental knowledge of digestive processes and the impact of intestinal fluid composition, the microbiota, as well as the intestinal immune system and barriers on the stability, dissolution and absorption of drugs. In addition, selecting suitable methodology and in vitro models for oral drug delivery will ensure success for in vitro and in vivo correlations. The lectures will cover the following key topics: - Organoleptic assessment of oral products - Gastrointestinal physiology - Characterization of gastric and intestinal fluids - Hydrodynamic conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and effect on transit time - Effect of food intake on transit time and gastrointestinal fluids - Understanding of digestive processes, enzymatic, pH-dependent, etc. - Mucosal barrier in gastrointestinal tract - Use of enhancers to increase absorption of nutrients and drugs - Lipid digestion, absorption and metabolism - Solubilization and emulsification of nutrients and pharmaceutical drugs - Encapsulation of nutrients and drugs - The gut microbiota - species and functionalities - Targeting and site-specific delivery - Delivery to the colon - Regional absorption and controlled release - Drug formulation principles - Suitable animal models for studies of human digestion and absorption - In vitro models simulating the digestion Language English Form It is a 5-day course comprising about 25 lectures and group works. The group work will end with a report. Dates 11-15 March, 2013 Course location U24 Universitetsparken 2