Summary of Course content

COURSES OFFERED BY THE SECTION OF PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY

Compulsory Courses (10)

1. Inorganic Chemistry II (B΄)
2. Organic Chemistry I (A')
3. Organic Chemistry II (B')
4. Pharmaceutical Chemistry I (E')
5. Pharmaceutical Chemistry II (ST')
6. Pharmaceutical Chemistry III (G΄)
7. Pharmaceutical Chemistry IV (H')
8. Pharmaceutical Analysis I (G)
9. Pharmaceutical Analysis II (H')
10. Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry (D')

Υ1. Inorganic Chemistry II

This course examines the following elements of the periodic table and their compounds: Nitrogen, Halogen, Carbon, Aluminum, Silver, Arsenic, Antimony, Calcium, Barium, Bismuth, Boron, Sulfur, Cadmium, Potassium, Platinum, Lithium, Manganese, Magnesium, Lead, Sodium, Oxygen, Silicon, Silicon, Iron, Titanium, Mercury, Hydrogen, Hydrogen, Phosphorus, Copper, Gold, Zinc, Zinc.

These elements and their compounds are examined: how they occur in nature, their preparations, their chemical and physical properties, characteristic reactions, their biological role and pharmacological activity where present. With regard to inorganic pharmaceutical compounds and certain organic compounds that owe their therapeutic action to the mineral element they contain, in addition to their methods of preparation and their chemical and physical properties, their action on the human body, their therapeutic application, as well as their absorption, distribution and toxicity are examined. Inorganic compounds or complexes of minerals used mainly as antacids, antimicrobials, antirheumatics, antirheumatics, anticancer, protective, astringent, laxatives, anthelmintics. Diagnostic drugs cover the category of mainly organic iodine derivatives used as contrast agents for the diagnosis of various diseases.

Fundamentals, biological functions of inorganic elements, classification of substituents (proteins, tetracyclic substituents, nucleic bases). In particular:

Iodine and thyroid function. Biological role of oxygen free radicals, Acid-base irreversibility,

Iron. Fe – proteins, Haemoglobin, Myoglobin, Cytochrome b, c, a, a3 (respiratory chain), Cytochrome P450. Iron homeostasis. Iron storage and transport in the body, transferrin, ferritin, ferritin, haemosiderin, iron deficiency-pharmaceutical treatment. Iron carriers.

Cobalt. Types of cobalamin, reactions catalysed by coenzyme B12. B12 deficiency, megaloblastic anaemia.

Zinc. Zinc proteins (zinc fingers). Hydrolysis enzymes carboxylic anhydrase, carboxypeptidase. β-lactamase. Superoxide dismutase. Metalloproteinases.

Molybdenum. Nitrogen fixation, nitrogenase. Electrolyte balance.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should have assimilated the basic principles of inorganic chemistry and in particular the properties of elements and their compounds and have understood the introductory concepts related to the drug and the modes of administration and how they are specialized in inorganic drugs. Students should be able to use this knowledge to complete assigned work and solve problems requiring critical thinking

– Use their knowledge of inorganic chemistry to understand the biological or therapeutic role of the elements of the Periodic Table

– Understand the structure of inorganic compounds and their chemical properties.

– Write complete chemical reactions of various types

– To make use of simple stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions and apply them to the chemical analysis of inorganic compounds used in pharmaceutical formulations.

– Know the mechanism of pharmacological action of inorganic drugs, their composition and mode of administration.

Υ2. Organic Chemistry I

The Organic Chemistry I course is a one-semester core unit consisting of two parts.

The first part covers the basic principles of Organic Chemistry, including: A) nomenclature, chemical bonding, electronegativity, tautomerism, inductive, resonance and hyperconjugation effects and aromaticity. B) Aspects of stereochemistry, structure and stability of carbocations, carbanions, free radicals and carbenes. C) Introduction to spectroscopic methods (IR, UV-VIS, NMR).

The second part refers to the systematic study of the preparation and the physicochemical properties of the following classes of organic compounds: saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes, alkadienes and alkynes), alkylhalides, alcohols, ethers, carbonyls (aldehydes and ketones), and organometallics.

Learning outcomes

The teaching of the course will combine lectures and practical classes, conducted separately during the first year of studies. In addition, the students will attend small group tutorials, which provide specialized support for the course. Upon completion, students should be able to provide correct IUPAC names for the compounds that belong to the organic classes studied, including polycyclics, spiro and optically active molecules. Moreover, they will be able to recognize, classify, explain, and draw reaction mechanisms of fundamental organic reactions and use the retrosynthetic analysis method to design efficient multi-step syntheses. Their learning will be assessed using a variety of methods including end-of-semester examinations, problem sheets and/or essays.

Υ3. Organic Chemistry ΙΙ

Aliphatic amines (structure, physical properties, basicity, synthesis (eg Grabriel synthesis, azide reduction etc), reactions (eg Curtius & Hofmann rearrangements, Hofmann elimination etc);

Carboxylic acids and derivatives: a. carboxylic acids (structure, physical properties, basicity, synthesis, reactions), b. derivatives of carboxylic acids (acyl halides, anhydrides, esters, amides, nitriles) and nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions, c. derivatives of carboxylic acids as applied in organic synthesis: α-substitution, β-synthesis based on keto-esters (malonic diethyl ester and acetoacetic acid ethylester), Claisen and Dieckmann condensation, Michael reactions.

Chemistry of aromatic compounds; a. aromaticity, b electrophilic aromatic substitution of benzene: halogenation, Friedel-Crafts reactions (alkylation, acylation), nitration, sulfonation, halogenation and oxidation of side chains), orientation and theory of orientation in electrophilic aromatic substitution, effects of multiple substituents, c. synthetic utility of electrophilic aromatic substitution: introduction to retrosynthesis, preparation of aromatic hydrocarbons, aryl halogen compounds, aromatic amines, phenols, aromatic aldehydes-ketones, aromatic carboxylic acids etc

aromatic amines, phenols, aromatic aldehydes-ketones, aromatic carboxylic acids (structure, physical properties, basicity / acidity, synthesis, reactions).

Chemistry of carbohydrates (structure, stereochemistry and reactions); structure, stereochemistry: monosaccharides, configurational notations, cyclic hemiacetals, anomeric sugars, conformational of pyranoses and funanoses (converting Fischer, Haworth, and Chair forms of carbohydrates), mutarotation, glycosides, reaction of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, nucleic acids.

Spectroscopy of organic compounds: IR, ΝMR.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to name and be familiar with the structural basis of organic chemistry. They should be able to write reactions, mechanisms of organic reactions and design and write multistep synthetic preparations of organic compounds useful for drug synthesis.

Υ4. Medicinal Chemistry I

The Medicinal Chemistry I course is a one-semester core unit. The topics it covers are diverse including Antiseptics (alcohols-aldehydes and related compounds, phenols and phenolic derivatives, cationic surfactants), Antineoplastic drugs (alkylating anticancer drugs, antimetabolites, antitumour derivatives of plant origin, anticancer antibiotics, hormones), This is followed by an account of Antifungal and Antitubercular drugs, Antiparasitic agents, Antimalarial drugs, Drugs against Neglected Tropical Diseases, Anthelmintics, Antiviral regimen against herpes viruses, HIV, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Analgesics of CNS (opium alkaloids, semisynthetic and synthetic opiates).

Learning outcomes

The teaching of the course will combine lectures and practical classes, conducted separately during the third year of studies. In addition, the students will attend small group tutorials, which provide specialized support for the course and will review research articles on relevant drugs.

This course emphasizes on the organic chemical reactions vital to drug synthesis, metabolism and bioactivity and includes Structure-based design of antiviral drugs and Ligand-based design approach of analgesics. It briefly analyses the case history of various drug classes and elucidates the principles of structure modification to increase oral bioavailability and the use of prodrugs. Representative examples of drugs exemplify the concepts of agonism, antagonism, biased agonism and racemic switches. In summary, this course gives the fundamental understanding and principles of drug design and action, spanning the fields of organic chemistry, pharmacology and partly toxicology.

Your learning will be assessed using a variety of methods including end-of-semester examinations, problem sheets and/or essays.

Υ5. Medicinal Chemistry II

Specific topics of this course refer to: CNS depressants, sedative hypnotics (benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine GABA A receptor modulators, melatonin receptor agonists etc) antiseizure drugs, antipsychotic and anxiolytic agents, drugs affecting serotonergic neurotransmission for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and migraine, antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, NSRIs, DNRIs, MAO inhibitors, mood stabilizers etc), general and local anesthetics (theories of anesthesia, classification of anesthetic agents), histamine agonists and antagonists (structure and ligands of histamine receptors, H1 antihistamines 1st and 2nd generation, H2 antihistamines and antiulcer drugs, H3 and H4 antihistamines), vitamins (lipid and water-soluble vitamins with emphasis on the physiologic role and molecular mode of action), Antibiotic and antimicrobial agents [drugs targeting the bacterial wall (β-lactam antibiotics and glycopeptides), the bacterial membrane, the bacterial protein synthesis, the nucleic acid synthesis].

Learning outcomes

The medicinal chemistry courses will provide the student knowledge on the chemistry of each drug, in relation to the corresponding biological activity. Specific drug categories will be studied, concerning the drug synthesis and structure and the importance of their optimized chemical and physicochemical properties for obtaining safe and effective drugs with adequate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior. Topics to be covered contain the drug design, molecular mode of action of the drugs, synthetic methods for their preparation, structure activity relationships and in general the relation of the structure to the activity, the metabolism, the toxicity and the side effects of the drugs.

Υ6. Medicinal Chemistry ΙΙΙ

Medicinal Chemistry III is a one-semester fundamental subject. It covers a wide range of themes, including: a) Neurons, neuronal synapses and neurotransmitters: Neurons and neuronal synapses, Chemical neurotransmitters (The neurotransmitter acetylcholine, The neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine). b) Cholinergic compounds: General, Indications-interactions, Mechanism of action, Structure-activity relationship (SAR), Chemical structure-preparation of cholinomimetic compounds, Chemical structure-preparation of anticholinesterase compounds (Carbamide compounds, Organophosphate compounds). c) Anticholinergic compounds: General, Antimuscarinic compounds (Indications-interactions, Structure-activity relationship (SAR), Chemical structure-preparation). d) Ganglioplegics, neuromyoplegic, papaverine and related compounds: Ganglioplegic compounds (nicotine, Acetylcholine antagonists), Neuromyoplegic compounds (Therapeutic indications-interactions, (SAR), Chemical structure-preparation), Papaverine compounds (Chemical structure-preparation), Centrally acting muscle relaxant compounds (Chemical structure-preparation). e) Adrenergic (sympathomimetic) compounds: General (Mode of action, Mechanism of action, Structure-activity relationship (SAR), Actions-Therapeutic indications, Side effects, Chemical structure-preparation). f) Adrenolytic (sympatholytic) compounds: General, Alpha-adrenoceptor blocking compounds (a-blockers) (ergot alkaloids and ergolines, Compounds of various structures), Beta-adrenoceptor blocking compounds (b-blockers), (Action-Therapeutic indications, SAR, Side-effects-Contraindications, Absorption, Preparation), Compounds that cause blockade of adrenergic neurons (Therapeutic indications-Adverse effects, Preparation), Compounds that cause inhibition of catecholamine biosynthesis (Tyrosine hydroxylase, DOPA decarboxylase, Dopamine beta-hydroxylase inhibitors, Chemical structure-Preparation). g) Anti-hypertensive compounds: General, Classes of anti-hypertensive compounds, Sympatholytic compounds, Compounds that cause direct vasodilation, Compounds that inhibit ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme), Compounds of varying structure and mechanism of action. h) Diuretic compounds: General, Physiology of the kidney, Classification of diuretic compounds (Thiazides and related sulfonamide diuretic compounds, Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, Osmotic diuretic compounds, Diuretic compounds of varying structure and mechanism of action). (Chemical structure-preparation, indications-interactions). i) Central nervous system stimulant compounds: General, General stimulants, Psychostimulants, Phenylethylamine derivatives (amphetamines), Compounds of various structures. (Chemical structure-Preparation, indications-interactions).

Learning outcomes

The medicinal chemistry III course will teach students about the chemistry of each of the above-mentioned categories of drugs, how their structure relates to the biological activity (SAR). Specific drug categories (see above) will be investigated in terms of drug synthesis and structure, as well as the relevance of optimizing their chemical and physicochemical properties to generate safe and effective medications with sufficient pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior. The drug design, molecular mode of action of the pharmaceuticals, synthetic methods for their synthesis, structure activity relationships (SAR), and in general the relationship of the structure to the activity, metabolism, toxicity, and side effects of the drugs will be covered.

Υ7. Medicinal Chemistry IV

Specific topics of this course refer to: Peptide hormones and drugs (peptides and non-peptides) interfering with their function (with emphasis to thyroid drugs and drugs affecting sugar metabolism). Steroidal hormones (cholesterol, adrenocorticoids and sex hormones, therapeutic applications of agonists and antagonists), prostaglandin medications and prostaglandin analogues for ophthalmic use, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (antipyretic analgesics, anti-inflammatory analgesics, COX-2 inhibitors), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, agents used for the treatment of gout, drugs for the treatment of asthma (with emphasis to leucotriene modifiers), drugs acting on the cardiovascular system (cardiac glycosides and nonglycosidic positive inotropic drugs, antianginal nitrates and nitrites, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs), phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, antihyperlipoproteinemics and inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis.

Learning outcomes

Υ8. Pharmaceutical Analysis I

The Pharmaceutical Analysis I course consists of the following parts: A) Introduction to Drug Control, B) Drug authentication (Physical Constants, Physicochemical Identity Tests, Detection Reactions), C) Purity Testing (Purity of Pharmaceutical Products, Source of Impurities, Impurity Testing), D) Quantitative Content Testing (Formulation Control, Uniform Distribution Testing of Formulations), E) Gravimetric analysis, F) Volumetric analysis – Aqueous and Non-aqueous acid-base Titrations and Applications G) Redox Titrations (Determinations with Potassium permanganate, Iodometric titrations and Assays with Potassium Iodate-Applications), H) Validation of analytical methods, I) Introduction to Pharmacogenomics

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to explain the principles of the various methods for the determination of a series of drug compounds, understand the reasons for the specific determination, predict which protocol fits for the determination of novel compounds, understand the basic principles of drug control and validation of analytical methods and meet the basic concept of pharmacogenomics

Υ9. Pharmaceutical Analysis II

The Pharmaceutical Analysis II course consists of the following parts: A) Redox Titrations (Bromimetric assays, determinations with potassium bromate, assays with ceric sulfate, titrations with titanium trichloride and assays with sodium nitrite and applications), B) Complexometric methods: General principles of EDTA titrations. Selective titrations in multimetallic systems – binding and releasing agents and Applications, C) Precipitation titrations: determination of ionized and organically bound halogen. Examples of the application of the above methods in Pharmaceutical Analysis, D) Experimental Design. Introduction, screening designs, optimization designs, surface response methodology, desirability function, E) UV/Vis spectrophotometry: General principles, organology, instrument calibration, spectra of representative pharmaceutical molecules. Determination of pKa values and in quantitative pharmaceutical analysis. Differential spectrophotometry. Derivative spectrophotometry. Applications of UV/Vis to raw material and pharmaceutical products with examples of applications from the Pharmacopoeia. Spectrophotometric determinations after modifying the structure of the specified product. Colorimetric determinations, F) High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): General principles, organology, stationary and mobile phases, retention mechanisms. Applications of HPLC to quantitative determinations of drugs in formulations with examples from the pharmacopoeia. Determinations by specialized HPLC techniques: ion-pair chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, chiral chromatography. Mass chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS): General principles of the technique, applications of the technique to the quality control of related compounds.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to explain the principles of the determination for a series of drug compounds and their analogues and understand the basic principles and applications of UV-Vis, HPLC and LC-MS

Υ10. Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry

The Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry course is a one-semester core unit. The topics it covers are diverse including: the Nucleus, Radioactivity, Radiochemistry, Radiation Protection, Dosimetry, Methods of radioisotope production, Synthesis of labelled compounds, Radiopharmaceuticals, synthesis and uses, Radioactive agents for imaging.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will understand radiopharmaceutical chemistry’s basic concepts, methodologies, and applications. Use consensus radiopharmaceutical nomenclature and terminology, be conversant with the different manufacturing methods for medically relevant isotopes, including cyclotrons, reactors, and generators. The students will be able to know radiolabeling techniques for radiometals, halogens, and short-lived positron emitters – Knows the chemistry of the most common radionuclides used in radiopharmaceutical chemistry Can describe how application influences creation of new radiopharmaceuticals and synthesis method for radiotherapeutic and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

Y11. Lab courses in Medicinal Chemistry

The laboratory courses includes theory and applications of thirteen exercises on drug synthesis. Students are trained in the following exercises: Aspirin preparation, Melting point determination, FeCl₃ phenolic OH test, Papaverine/Hydroxyl. Papaverine, Preparation of tetraethylammonium iodide, Preparation of Phenacetin, Recrystallisation, IR Spectrum Acquisition, Preparation of Benzocaine, Preparation of Sulfanilamide, Preparation of Ethyl Bromide, Partition coefficient determination, NMR Spectrum Acquisition, Rational design via molecular simulations.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the practicals’ course, students should be able to synthesize simple organic molecules, which constitute the active substances of drugs, and elucidate their structures via spectroscopic methods. The trainees will have to pass three tests, during the course, and a comprehensive exam upon completion of the experiments.

Y12. Lab courses in Pharmaceutical Analysis

Learning outcomes

Elective courses (6)

1. Basic Principles of Drug Design (G')
2. Drug Metabolism (G΄)
3. Stability of Pharmaceutical Products (G΄)
4. Molecular Pharmacology (ST΄)
5. Special Courses in Organic Chemistry (C΄)
6. Laboratory Exercises in Pharmacology (I)

E1. Basic Principles of Drug Design (G')

The course aims to provide a thorough presentation of the various processes that make up the discovery and development of new drugs, with emphasis on methodologies for the rational design of small molecule bioactive molecules.

Through lectures, practical and laboratory exercises, the student will be familiarised with the different scientific approaches applied in the successive stages of the development and design of new drugs and will be taught the role and importance of each of them in achieving the intended outcome.

At the end of the period, the student will be able to develop critical thinking around the various factors that determine the overall value of the molecules under study as potential drugs and to use this in understanding their biological or therapeutic activity – in combination with the courses in pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and toxicology – and in managing key research questions that are likely to arise in his/her subsequent career.

By the end of the semester, the student is expected to have developed critical thinking that will enable him/her to

– have a complete understanding of the stages and techniques involved in the processes of design and development of new medicines,

– have a substantial understanding of how bioactive molecules interact with pharmacological targets at the structural and individual level,

– an understanding of the interdisciplinary theoretical background of the methodologies used for the biological evaluation of drug candidates,

– be able to evaluate scientific data and experimental results

– be able to propose ways of solving scientific questions related to the rational design of medicinal products,

– be able to communicate fluently the knowledge acquired in the context of the bibliographical work and to answer relevant questions,

– have a degree of independence in terms of further research in the fields of the sciences relevant to the methodologies taught

– At the end of the course, students should be able to use this knowledge to complete assigned tasks and solve problems requiring critical thinking.

Learning outcomes

The goal of this course is to teach basic information about the goals of drug design, specifically the development of novel chemical entities with desirable pharmacological properties. Introduce the methods used by medicinal chemists to search the chemical space for new compounds, which has proven incredibly difficult due to the size and complexity of the chemical universe.

E2. Drug Metabolism (G΄)

The purpose of the elective course “drug metabolism” is to elaborate on the following topics regarding the biotransformation of drugs: drug metabolic pathways, biotransformation reactions, molecular mechanisms of drug metabolism, enzymes involved, endogenous and exogenous factors influencing drug metabolism, genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolising enzymes and their role in drug response, induction and inhibition of drug metabolism, drug-drug and drug-food interactions, application of drug metabolism in drug design.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this optional course, students will be able to understand why drug metabolism is important, know the major drug metabolism reactions, understand the possible role of drug metabolism in drug-drug interactions and toxicity, and know the major CYP enzymes and at least one clinically relevant substrate for each.

E3. Stability of Pharmaceutical Products (G΄)

The elective course stability of pharmaceutical products consists of the following parts: A) Introduction to drug stability, B) Chemical Stability Testing and Life Time of Pharmaceutical Products: Kinetic Relationships of Reactions. Thermodynamic principles of degradation reactions, determination of lifetime of active compounds. Arrhenius theory, Eyring-Polanyi theory, C) Hydrolytic degradation of drugs. Factors affecting the rate of hydrolytic reactions. Techniques and methods for preventing hydrolytic degradation in drugs. Oxidative degradation of drugs, D) Factors affecting the rate of oxidation. Techniques and methods that inhibit the oxidative degradation of drugs, E) Photochemical changes of the active ingredients: (Photolysis in vivo, Effect of radiation on the molecules. Photochemical and photosensitized reactions, Factors affecting photosensitized chemical reactions, Photolytic bond cleavage, Instantaneous and photochemical cleavage. Photolytic reaction kinetics, F) The role of cyclodextrins in Drug stability, G) Protein stability, H) Stability of biological samples, I) Stability-Indicating Assay Method.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the main routes of drug degradation, suggest techniques to inhibit degradation and realize how basic stability tests are conducted.

E4. Molecular Pharmacology (ST΄)

The course begins with an introduction to the molecular basis of drug action and basic concepts of Molecular Pharmacology: Major drug target categories, Drug-Receptor bonding interactions, Types of Receptors (Superfamilies of Ion channels, GPCRs, Tyrosine kinase and Intracelluar receptors), Signal transduction pathways. Factors influencing Drug-Receptor interaction and efficacy (agonists, antagonists, partial and inverse agonists). Nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) as drug targets. Oligo/polynucleotides as therapeutics.

Further, topics of Drug Metabolism are presented that include xenobiotic metabolic pathways, biotransformation reactions and Enzymes involved. Factors influencing Drug Metabolism. Genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolising enzymes and their role in Drug response. Induction and inhibition of Drug metabolism. Drug-Drug/Food interactions. Application of Drug metabolism in Drug Design.

Finally, basic principles of drug design are discussed such as: Lead discovery. Lead optimization. Effect of functional groups and stereochemistry on drug-receptor interactions and biological activity. Bioisosters. Molecular modeling/in silico simulations in drug design, conformational search, protein structure, homology modeling-structural bioinformatics, thermodynamics of Ligand-protein interaction, receptor- and ligand-based design, docking methods, virtual screening, QSAR. Retrometabolic drug design approaches such as design of site-specific prodrugs, hard and soft drugs.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of this elective course, students should be able to have a substantial understanding of the molecular mechanism of drug action, the structure and function of major drug targets, their (molecular) interactions with bioactive molecules and how these are used for the design of new bioactives. Students will develop critical thinking related to the various molecular characteristics that determine the potential activity of a new compound and will get acquainted with several techniques related to the design/development of new drugs. Finally, their training in biotransformation reactions of xenobiotics should enable them to predict potential metabolic pathways of a drug and how these may be implicated in toxicity or drug-drug interactions.

E5. Special Courses in Organic Chemistry (C΄)

The course is divided into two parts:

Α) Organic Spectroscopy and B) Heterocyclic Chemistry.

Α) Organic Spectroscopy: Electromagnetic Radiation General characteristics of spectra, Spectroscopic Methods. Spectroscopy, General characteristics of spectra, General characteristics of spectra, Spectroscopy techniques: General characteristics of Superset Spectra, Absorption of characteristic Groups, Factors affecting Absorption Frequency, Analysis of Superset Spectra, Problems-Exercises. NMR Spectroscopy – Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Mass Spectroscopy: Basic Ionization and Analysis Techniques, Mass Spectra, Molecular Ion, Isotopic Analysis, Fragmentation, Typical Types of Decomposition of Major Organic Compounds, Problems-Exercises. Finding Molecular Structure by Combination of Phases: Examples – Problems of Combination of Phases

B) Heterocyclic Chemistry:

Nomenclature of heterocyclic compounds: a) Nomenclature of monocyclic heterocyclic compounds. Hantzsch-Widman rule, b) Common and semi-common names of heterocyclic compounds, c) Rules governing the nomenclature of condensed heterocyclic systems.

Structure of the most important heterocyclic bodies.

Heterocyclic bodies with trimeric ring oxiranes, aziridines: nomenclature, preparations, chemical properties.

Heterocyclic bodies with one or more heteroatoms in a five-membered ring and derivatives thereof:

A) pentameric nuclei with one heteroatom: a) generalities on the activity of furan, thiophene and pyrrole b) furans: synthesis, physical and chemical properties, derivatives c) pyrroles: synthesis, physical and chemical properties, pyrrolines, pyrrolidines d) thiophenes: generalities, synthesis, physical and chemical properties; (e) generalities on the electronegative substitution of benzo(b)furan, benzo(b)thiophene and indole; (f) indoles: synthesis, chemical properties, derivatives.

(b) pentameric nuclei with two heteroatoms (a) 1,3-azoles: generalities, basicity, imidazole tautomerism, synthesis and chemical properties (b) 1,2-azoles: generalities, synthesis and chemical properties.

(C) Hexameric nuclei with one or more heteroatoms and their derivatives: (a) pyridine: generalities, synthesis, chemical properties, derivatives; (b) quinolines and isoquinolines: generalities, synthesis, chemical properties, derivatives; (c) pyrene, D2-dihydropyran, tetrahydropyran, pyryl salts, alpha- and c-pyrones: generalities, chemical properties; (d) condensed pyranium derivatives: chromans, D2 and D3-chromium, coumarins, chromones, flavones, benzopyryl salts, anthocyanidins: generalities, chemical properties; (e) diazines: generalities, chemical properties, derivatives; (f) purines: generalities, properties.

(b) benzodiazepines: synthesis.

Learning outtcomes

The course aims to offer a thorough presentation of specific scientific fields of organic chemistry which cannot be analyzed in detail in the core course of organic chemistry and which are considered important especially for the later understanding of students in the courses of Pharmaceutical Chemistry since a very large number of pharmaceutical and biological molecules are heterocyclic molecules, students are attempted to acquire the general knowledge of their synthesis. The aim is to familiarize the student with the different basic knowledge in the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds and the structure of organic compounds as identified by spectroscopic techniques. At the end of the period, students will be able to develop critical thinking in the areas of heterocyclic reactions and spectroscopic data analysis.

Ε6. Lab courses in Pharmacology

The laboratory course (Theory and Laboratory) includes both laboratory exercises and lectures. The laboratory exercises refer to: Experimental determination of drug potency and efficacy (Calculation of IC50EC50, Emax), Pharmacological studies on basic invitro cellular functions (cell proliferation, migration, viability), Receptor expression and molecular signaling, study of drug action on gene expression (PCR and qPCR-realtime PCR). Design of primers for gene expression studies, ex vivo studies of drug effects on isolated organs and primary cell lines, exvivo studies of drug effects on isolated vessels, design of experimental protocols in experimental animals (central nervous system, inflammation, cardiovascular system). Experimental procedures in invivomodels: Muscle (Musmusculus), Epimysius (Rattusnorvegicus), Zebrafish (Daniorerio – Zebrafish), and programs for quantification, presentation of results and statistical processing with application to Pharmacology (ImageJ, SPSS^®, GraphPadPrism^®). The lecures describe experimental models for cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, heart failure), experimental models for respiratory system diseases (asthma, acute lung failure syndrome, COPD), experimental models of mutagenesis and cancer, and experimental models of diseases of the nervous system.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to identify basic experimental models for a variety of systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, etc.), as well as in vitro and ex vivo procedures.

COURSES OFFERED BY THE SECTION OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS

Compulsory Courses (4)

Υ1. History of Pharmacy, Introduction to Ethnopharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The course will deal with the evolution of medicines from prehistoric times up to now. It starts with medicines and prescriptions, as recorded in medical manuscripts from the 5th century BC. (classic period) and the next centuries (hellenistic, roman, byzantine periods). Further, their influence on medical textbooks of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is noted, as well as the influence of the Arabs on the pharmaceutical sciences. Moreover, the course will cover topics related to the introduction of herbal remedies from the New World.

The course also includes the development of synthetic pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as the industrial production of medicines, synthetic, semi-synthetic, biotechnological medicines (monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T drugs).

The course will also deal with the evolution of the European and Hellenic Pharmacopoeias. The changes in each edition are highlighted based on the evolution of the Pharmaceutical Science.

In addition, the course covers the role of Ethnopharmacology in modern Phytotherapy and the discovery of new lead-drugs.

Learning outcomes:

After completing the course, the students should have an in-depth understanding of the evolution of the Pharmaceutical Sciences from prehistoric times up to 21st century, including natural, synthetic, semi-synthetic and biotechnological medicines. Moreover, they will acquire a broad understanding of how Ethnopharmacology can be the basis for development of new drugs.

Υ2. Pharmacognosy I

The course “Pharmacognosy I” is structured in three parts. In the 1st general part, the students are introduced to Pharmacognosy, description and selection of the sources for the isolation of bioactive metabolites, methods of treatment, processing, conservation and storage of botanical drugs. Moreover, the ecological roles and the chemical variation of secondary metabolites in natural sources are presented.

In the 2nd part primary metabolites in plants are classified among Carbohydrates (monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides), Lipids (fats and oils, waxes, alkynes) and amino acids as well as Enzymes with further applications mainly in medicine. In the 3rd part are presented secondary metabolites with emphasis on Phenolics, shikimates, acetic derivatives (such as: Shikimates – phenylpropane derivatives: phenols, phenolic acids, coumarins, lignans, neolignanes, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, quinones, orcinols and phloroglucinols. Herbal sources containing the abovementioned classes of secondary metabolites are described as well as their applications for medicinal, nutritional and general health care purposes”

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the main terms of classification of chemical constituents obtained from natural sources, with emphasis to those isolated from herbs, in primary and secondary metabolites as well as their impact in modern pharmacy.

Υ3. Pharmacognosy ΙΙ

Alkaloids: Introduction, physicochemical properties, detection, extractions, pharmacological activities, biosynthesis.

1) Ornithine and lysine alkaloids: tropane alkaloids of Solanaceae and Erythroxylaceae, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, nicotinic acid derivatives, indolizidine alkaloids, quinolizidine alkaloids, piperidine alkaloids, anthranilic acid derivatives, terpene and steroid alkaloids, histidine derivatives, purine alkaloids.

2) Phenylalanine and tyrosine alkaloids: Phenylethylamines, simple isoquinolines, curare, morphinane alkaloids, phenethylisoquinolines, monoterpene isoquinolines, Amaryllidaceae alkaloids.

3) Tryptophan alkaloids: tryptamines, β-carbolines, ergoline derivatives, monoterpene indole alkaloids, alkaloids of Cinchona and Vinca, ellipticin, camptothecin and derivatives.

Terpenes and steroids: essential oils, pyrethroids, iridoids, sesquiterpene lactones, diterpenes, triterpenes, modified triterpenes: limonoids, quassinoids, brassinoids, saponins, sterols, steroids, N containing glycosides, glycerosides, sterols, cardiotonic glycosides, Carotenoids

Oleoresins: Cannabis, Chios Mastic gum, Cistus creticus, Kava, Ηop, Balsams.

Learning outcomes:

Students are taught the main categories of alkaloids depending on their biosynthetic origin, the botanical origin, chemical structure and their biological activities, mechanism of action and toxicity, as well as the use in the traditional and modern therapeutic for the plants, the natural molecules and their active semi-synthetic derivatives.

Moreover, terpenes and steroids as well as complex natural products such as essential oils, resins and balsams are developed.

Υ4. Pharmacognosy III

The course Pharmacognosy III introduces elements of ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, biodiversity and bioprospecting, and complementary / alternative therapeutic approaches. Additionally, it focuses on phytotherapy and quality control of phytomedicines. It further discusses important natural products and herbal medicines targeting the gastrointestinal and biliary system, cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems. Medicinal spices, natural pigments, nutritional supplements, as well as herbal-drug interactions and food-drug interactions are also explored. Lastly, it relays information on drugs from marine organisms, including chemical classes, biological activities, recent advances.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students should be able to know basic elements of complementary / alternative treatment systems, know important natural products and medicines of natural origin and their phytotherapeutic use, recognize the medicinal use of drugs used as flavorings, be aware of herbal-drug interactions as well as food-drug interactions, recognize medicinal drugs from marine organisms.

Y5. Lab courses in Pharmacognosy I

The laboratory courses includes theory and applications of instrumental analytical techniques for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of natural products: methods of raw materials processing (plants, marine organisms and microorganisms), drying (lyophilization, vacuum drying, etc.) and extraction (classical extraction, extraction using supercritical liquids, microwave extraction, water distillation, water vapor distillation etc.), chromatography methods (thin layer chromatography, column chromatography, gas chromatography, medium pressure chromatography, high performance chromatography, countercurrent chromatography), methods of structure dentification of isolated compounds (infrared spectroscopy, visible-ultraviolet spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry) and coupled chromatographic spectroscopy techniques and their applications.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

– Have an understanding of the theoretical background of analytical techniques used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of natural products

– Have knowledge of all pre-processing steps in the receipt of raw materials

-Have knowledge of all the processes involved in the extraction of raw materials, including all stages of the raw materials used in the production process

– Has knowledge of the methods of separation of complex mixtures

-Uses a variety of methods to identify new and/or novel compounds

– searches for compounds in databases and international literature

– Collaborates with fellow students to prepare and present work.

Y6. Lab courses in Pharmacognosy II

The Pharmacognosy II labs course focuses on the techniques relevant to phytochemical analysis. Specifically, it includes an introduction to phytochemical analysis of terrestrial and marine organisms with an emphasis on methods for extraction, enrichment, isolation, qualitative and quantitative determination of bioactive compounds with chemical and chromatographic methods. Furthermore, the students are introduced on the theoretical aspects but also undertake practical work towards the identification of the major chemical classes of natural products using chemical reactions, the quantitative determination of bioactive constituents, the isolation of essential oils from aromatic plants, as well as the isolation of natural products with various methods.

Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the practical course, students should be able to follow basic protocols for the extraction, isolation and quantitative and qualitative determination of bioactive compounds.

Y7. Lab courses in Pharmacognosy III

The Pharmacognosy III labs course focuses on the microscopic-macroscopic identification and authentication of selected representative botanical drugs (starches, colored powders, fibers, leaves, flowers, herbs, fruits, seeds, roots, rhizomes, barks, etc.)

Learning outcomes

The laboratory exercises of the Pharmacognosy III Labs aim at introducing the students to the quality control of some of the medicinal plants (drogues) that are included in the European Pharmacopoeia. The students practice identifying drogues based on their macroscopic, microscopic and diagnostic features. Upon completion of the workshop the students will be able to:

-use the macroscopic and microscopic features of medicinal plants to determine the quality of herbal medicines commonly available in the form of herbal material.

– identify herbal drugs in tea mixtures or the possible presence of unwanted impurities of other plants in them.

– acquire skills in recognizing characteristic structures and organs in various drugs.

-increase skills in handling optical (photon) microscope.

Elective courses (5)

1. Special Courses in Pharmacognosy (G΄)
2. Pharmaceutical Botany (D΄)
3. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (H΄)
4. Business Administration - Marketing (I')
5. Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Pharmaceutics (I΄)

Ε1. Special Courses in Pharmacognosy

A) Extraction and Isolation of natural products by classical and modern extraction techniques: Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ACE), Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE), Subcritical Water Extraction (SWE) and Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE). Applications of Centrifugal Partition Chromatography and the use of Adsorption Resin Technology (ART). Automated Medium Pressure Liquid Chromatography (MPLC) and Preparative High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques.
B) Identification of natural products using classical and modern mass spectrometric (MS) techniques: ionization methods: Electron Impact (EI), Chemical Ionization (CI), Electrospray Ionization (ESI), Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) / mass analyzers: Quadrupole, Ion Trap, High Resolution Mass Analyzers. Hyphenated MS-based techniques (Gas Chromatography-MS, Liquid Chromatography-MS, LC-MS/MS). Application of analytical techniques for the characterization of complex mixture (extracts, fractions), metabolite profiling and fingerprinting.
C) Structure determination of natural compounds (simple organic molecules, coumarins, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, lignans, sugars) through the study of their spectroscopic data: Mass spectrometry (MS), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Nuclear and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR).

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to select the appropriate method for extraction, separation and isolation of organic compounds from natural origin depending on their polarity and physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, they will be able to determine the structure of pure natural compounds, after the study of their spectroscopic data, especially NMR and IR spectroscopy and MS spectrometry.

Ε2. Pharmaceutical Botany

The course Pharmaceutical Botany introduces Pharmaceutical Botany, plant systematics and classification systems, including Nomenclature, the importance of Pharmaceutical Botany in Pharmacy, the Engler classification system and the system of APG. Moreover, it focuses on the systematic division of large groups of organisms (Prokaryotes, Algae, Plants, Fungi). Additionally, a brief overview of the groups: Bacteriophyta, Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Chrysophyta, Euglenophyta, Charophyta, Chrysophyta, Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta, Mycophyta (and Lichens), Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, as well as Spermatophyta is presented, with an emphasis on families of great medicinal importance.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students should have obtained the knowledge and skills to understand concepts such as biodiversity, systematics, classification and evolution of photosynthetic prokaryotes, algae, fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes and spermatophytes. Moreover, they should have increased their ability to deal with scientific names, descriptions, and methodologies used in the systematics (and consequent utilization) of these organisms.

Ε3. Principles In Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

The course consists of three parts. In the first, general part students are introduced to basic concepts in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, historical data, pros and cons in the development of Biotechnology, as well as in Biotechnology and bioethics (international treaties and agreements). Furthermore, is analysed Biotechnology of microorganisms (principles of genetic engineering, bioreactors, etc) followed of Biotechnology in plants (genes’ manipulation, Agrobacterium as elicitor, transgenic plants, tissue cultures and cell cultures). In the second part is discussed the Cultures of animal cells (Basic principles), Cloning genes in bacteria and eukaryotic cells, while in the 3rd part are analysed the Applications of biotechnology in pharmaceutical sciences (aminoacids, enzymes, secondary metabolites, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies etc), followed by an Introduction to genomics and other “-omics” sciences, as well as of Gene therapy and epigenetic therapy.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the main terms of the development of Biotechnology as well as the basic impact of the development of Biotechnology towards pharmaceutical science. Further perspectives of future use of biotechnology in Pharmacy will be also clarified.

Ε4. Business Administration

General introduction to Management Science: basic functions and types of Management. Brief review. Schools and representatives of management thinking.

Organization and Business Management: the function of organization. General and specific principles of Organization. General and general principles of organization. Relationships between structure and philosophy of the enterprise. The function of control. Group. Dynamics of the Group. Leadership roles in Human Teams. Negotiation. Conflicts and how to deal with them. Psychological Contract.

Human resource management: Concept. Personnel planning. Forecasting needs. Job analysis and job description. Personnel recruitment. Methods. Labour markets. Selection and adaptation of personnel. Staff motivation and related theories. Staff assessment. Diagnosis of training needs within the company. Vocational education and training. Principles of adult learning. Human resource training in modern organisations. Executive education. Leadership. Executive development.

Marketing: concept. Marketing. Market Segmentation. Sales. Negotiation techniques. Pharmacy Marketing. Casestudies.

Communication. Public Relations: Communication. Mass Communication. Public Relations. Public Relations. Public Relations. Advertising. Public opinion. Propaganda. Personal promotion. Introduction to the media. Oral discourse. Written speech. Audiovisual media. Other media.

Management in an international environment: international business. Historical development. Establishment, organisation, management and operation of multinational companies.

Learning outcomes:

This course is a general introduction to the science of Business Administration and Human Resources Management. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to understand and resolve business issues related to personnel evaluation, marketing, sales, interpersonal and public relations at the pharmacy or company level, as well as management in an international environment.

COURSES OFFERED BY THE SECTION OF PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY

Compulsory Courses

Υ1. Pharmaceutical Technology I

Pharmaceutical nanotechnology: nanoparticles, manufacturing processes of nanoparticles, characterization of nanoparticles, applications in pharmacy and medicine. Fourth generation polymeric colloids: dendrimeric transport and release systems of bioactive molecules, 4th generation polymeric colloids: transport systems and release of bioactive molecules, The concept of cross-linkability as a basis for the development of dendrimers with medicinal properties, Lipid colloidal systems transport and release of bioactive molecules, Structure of biological membranes, Liposomes. Classification of liposomes, Factors determining the properties of liposomes, thermotropic properties of their structural units, methodology of preparation. Methods of liposome preparation, Mechanism of liposome formation, their physicochemical characterization, Lyophilization of liposomes, Drug interaction with lipid bilayers, Immunoliposomes, Applications of liposomes in pharmacy and medicine. Guidelines for the proper industrial preparation of liposomal drugs.

Nanovaccines and recombinant nanoparticles as innovative medicines for treating human diseases and for protecting against viruses and bacteria.

States of matter: Microparticles – powders: particle size, modes of expression particles’ diameter, measurement of particle size, powder rheology. Mixing of powders and granules, grinding of solid drugs, grinding instruments, factors affecting grinding of particles, ripening of solid drugs.

Solutions – solubility of drugs: types, phases of the dissolution process, buffers.

Scattering systems – Intra-surface phenomena: Types of scattering systems, intra surface phenomena, dispersion coefficient, adsorption at liquid interfaces. Classification systems, as hydrophilic – lipophilic. Adsorption at solid interfaces, wetting, surfactants, electrical properties of interfaces. Rheology: categories of fluid systems depending on their rheological properties, thixotropy, antithixotropy, Methods of determination of viscosity, flow properties of dispersion systems

Physical Chemistry-introductory concepts: Conservation of energy, the three laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamic quantities, internal energy, reversible thermodynamic changes, entropy, correlation of entropy with enthalpy and free energy.

Colloidal dispersion systems: Stability, applications in life sciences, colloidal transport and release systems of bioactive molecules, Classification of colloidal transport.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should have assimilated knowledge on the states of matter, the scattering and colloidal systems, and the basics of thermodynamics, such as the three thermodynamic laws. Also, the student is expected to be familiar with the novel field of pharmaceutical nanotechnology and in particular the 4th generation polymeric colloids and liposomes (preparation, properties, production, applications).

Υ2. Pharmaceutical Technology II

This course covers the production processes and briefly the quality controls of specific dosage forms used for the delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in industrial scale. More specifically the final pharmaceutical products and technologies presented within the above context mainly include the following: Preformulation studies, immediate and controlled release tablets, coating technologies, spray drying technology, hard and soft gelatin/HPMC capsules, multiparticulate systems such as pellets, oral liquids, solutions, suspensions, ointments, creams, gels, suppositories, transdermal systems and their applications. Moreover in this course the evolution of the manufacturing technologies from the mass to the lean, agile and continuous production is also presented along with a brief description of the industrial revolutions. All these technologies are presented in line with the “Quality by Design” principles and tools as proposed by the regulatory authorities.

Lastly, selected presentations are enriched with educational videos presented in parallel with the formal lectures.

Learning outcomes: The lectures and study of the above mentioned subjects will transfer to the students the knowledge required for understanding the manufacturing technologies and quality tools applied in industrial scale for the production and control of the final pharmaceutical dosage forms in order to assure their quality

Υ3. Pharmaceutical Technology III

This course covers the theory/tools of quality , the production processes and briefly the quality controls of specific dosage forms used for the delivery of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in industrial scale, as a continuation of the Pharmaceutical Technology II course. More specifically the subjects presented within the above context mainly include the following: current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), orally inhaled dosage forms such as DPIs and pMDIs, sterile products, clean room design and operation principles, 3D printing technologies, technology transfer/scale up requirements, packaging and stability of final pharmaceutical products and the theory of quality as applied in the pharmaceutical sector. Moreover selected presentations are enriched with educational videos presented in parallel with the formal lectures.

Learning outcomes: The lectures and study of the above mentioned subjects will transfer to the students the knowledge required for understanding the manufacturing technologies and quality tools and cGMPs applied in industrial scale for the production and control of the final pharmaceutical forms in order to assure their quality.

Υ4. Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics I

The Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics I course consists of the following three major parts:

In the first part, basic kinetic concepts after Intravenous drug administration are discussed. Initially, an introduction to the compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis with focus on the concept of one and two compartment distribution models is given. Drug kinetics after Intravenous administration, in the cases of one compartment open model with IV bolus injection and with IV constant rate infusion are discussed.

In the second part, phenomena and processes impacting the drug presence in the general circulation are discussed. These include drug protein binding and disposition processes, i.e drug distribution to peripheral tissues, and drug elimination processes, renal and hepatic.

In the third part the focus is the oral route and the per os drug administration. Initially, drug kinetics after per os administration is discussed. This includes the cases of one compartment open model with zero order and with first order input kinetics. Brief reference to repeated administration and the concept of accumulation of drug is also given. Subsequently, the processes which are involved for the appearance of the drug in the general circulation after the oral absorption are discussed, i.e the molecular dispersion of the drug from the dosage form in the gastrointestinal fluids, the drug delivery to and removal from the uptake sites of the gut wall, and the drug transport via the intestinal epithelium are discussed. The third part concludes with the discussion of two secondary processes potentially affecting the overall appearance of the drug in the general circulation, i.e the drug enterohepatic circulation and the drug biotransformation in the intestinal epithelium and in the liver prior to reaching the systemic circulation (first-pass effect).

The course completes with an introduction to the concept of bioequivalence.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course the student will be familiar with:

-The basic concepts of Pharmacokinetics as well as its utility for more effective and safer use of drugs based on intravenous administration and assuming one compartment disposition kinetics.

– The characterization of the time course of drugs in the body with the aim of calculating pharmacokinetic parameters resulting from the analysis of experimental data of drug concentration in the blood as a function of time after intravenous administration and assuming one compartment disposition kinetics.

– The characteristics of drug-protein binding; the methodologies for calculating the binding parameters; the importance of protein binding to drug distribution in the body; and the principles of the experimental methods used for the study of drug protein binding

– The factors affecting, and the mechanisms involved in drug distribution; and the concept of apparent volume of distribution.

– The concepts of extraction coefficient, total body clearance, renal clearance, and hepatic clearance.

– The physiological and anatomical features of the kidneys which are related to the renal excretion of drugs and the fundamental biotransformation reactions and the principles of drug biotransformation kinetics

-The basic concepts of drug kinetics after per os administration assuming one compartment disposition kinetics.

– The characterization of the time course of drugs in the body by calculating pharmacokinetic parameters based on experimental data of drug concentration in the blood as a function of time, after per os administration in the cases of one compartment disposition kinetics with zero order and with first order input kinetics.

– The processes involved in the supply of the GI fluids with the drug in a molecularly dispersed form

– The characteristics of processes which lead to the approach of the drug molecule to and the removal of the drug molecule from the uptake sites

– Factors regulating the uptake and transport of drugs across the gut wall towards the blood vessels in the mucosa and approaches for facilitating relevant processes

– The principles of the experimental methods used for studying the release of drug from the dosage form and drug dissolution, the gastrointestinal transit of drugs, the drug uptake and transport across the gut wall, and the drug protein binding

– The concepts of biliary excretion, enterohepatic circulation of drugs and first-pass effect

– The concept of bioequivalence and the principles of its evaluation with in vivo studies in humans

Υ5. Statistical Methods

This course introduces statistical methods that are widely used in modern applications. The course starts with an introduction to sampling, population, sampling, bias, systematic error, and sampling methods. It describes graphical methods of data presentation and measures for central tendency (mean, median, quartiles, percentiles) and dispersion metrics like variance, range, interquartile range, and asymmetry, curvature. Also, it presents the basic elements of probability theory such as Bayes’ theorem and the total probability theorem. Various distributions (Bernoulli experiment, binomial, uniform, geometric, hypergeometric, Poisson, and so on) and continuous distributions (normal, chi-squared, gamma). Confidence intervals for normal population parameters: one sample, two samples (independent or dependent). Hypothesis testing for normal population parameters: one sample, two samples (independent or dependent). Another section refers to correlation and regression analysis (linear or nonlinear, simple or multiple, weighted or repeated measures). Parametric and non-parametric methods of analysis, verification of normal distribution, and non-parametric methods for comparing two or more samples It also offers an introduction to other techniques, like contingency tables. Chi-squared analysis, comparison of percentages (one or two samples, odds ratio, risk difference), and comparison of multiple groups using analysis of variance.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should have a basic knowledge of statistics and the major concepts of descriptive statistics, comparison between two or more groups, probability theory, and inference (confidence intervals, hypothesis tests).

Y6. Lab courses in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Control of Final Pharmaceutical Products

A series of laboratory exercises supervised by the staff and executed by the students in a hands on mode, is focusing on the methodologies, resembling the industrial ones, for the production at a lab scale of the most widely used final dosage forms : tablets prepared by direct compression and wet granulation, filling of hard gelatin capsules with granules, creams and gels for topical use, oral solutions, suspensions and emulsions , suppositories and liposomes . Moreover, the students are applying the basic quality control tests for each form prepared together with the application of a control chart for assessing the weight variation of the tablets produced. Last, the students are also preparing galenic dosage forms (Pharmaceutical Preparations) applying principles of Good Preparation Practice as proposed by European Pharmacopoeia.

Educational visit at a local Pharmaceutical Company for reviewing the manufacturing, quality control, packaging and distribution of final pharmaceutical products at an industrial scale.

Educational videos of several manufacturing and packaging activities in real working environments of selected pharmaceutical plants.

Learning outcomes: The students after this hand on experience with the production methods of selected dosage forms and the corresponding quality control tests applied , are expected to be familiar with the requirements of the manufacturing technologies for the production of the major final pharmaceutical products either in industry or in a pharmacy laboratory.

Y7. Lab courses in Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics

The Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics (Laboratory work) course consists of in vitro and in silico exercises that cover the following topics:

Drug solubility

1a. Aqueous solubility of drug substances: Determination of the aqueous solubility of dipyridamole.

1b. Aqueous solubility of drug substances: Effect of β-cyclodextrin on the aqueous solubility of dipyridamole.

1c. Statistical data analysis

In vitro dissolution of immediate release pharmaceutical products

2a. Dissolution rate: Effect of pH on the dissolution rate of dipyridamole immediate release tablets

2b. Comparison of dissolution curves using the similarity factor, f2.

2c. Statistical data analysis

Protein binding of drugs

3a. Study of the to the interaction of Cu++ ions (used as model drug) with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA, used as model of Human Serum Albumin, HSA), using the technique of Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE).

3b. Application of Scatchard model for the determination of the binding parameters for the interaction of Cu++ with BSA.

3c. Statistical data analysis

4.Analysis of in vitro and in vivo data:

4a. Calculation of basic pharmacokinetic parameters from in vivo data after oral administration.

4b. Evaluation of dissolution kinetics based on in vitro dissolution data.

4c. In vitro – in vivo correlation for orally administered drugs (Level A, B and C correlations).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this laboratory course the student will be familiar with:

-The basic concepts on aqueous solubility of drug substances and the effect of solubilizing agents such as cyclodextrins on the solubility characteristics of poorly soluble drugs (e.g., dipyridamole); the concept of phase solubility technique and its application for the determination of drug aqueous solubility; the application of UV-Vis spectroscopy to measure drug concentration and the concept of calibration curve.

– The basic concepts on drug dissolution from immediate release formulations (pharmaceutical products); the effect of pH on the dissolution rate of ionizable drugs; the use of similarity factor f2 to compare the dissolution profile of two pharmaceutical products.

– The characteristics of Cu++-BSA binding; the use of Scatchard model for analysing protein binding data to calculate the binding parameters; the application of ISE technique to measure the free drug concentration using the respective calibration curve.

– The use of the linear trapezoidal rule to calculate basic pharmacokinetic parameters from in vivo data after oral administration; the application of different kinetic models to evaluate the dissolution kinetics of drugs; the concept of in vitro-in vivo correlation and its application to orally administered pharmaceutical products.

Elective courses (8)

1. Cosmetic Technology - Cosmetology (F΄)
2. Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics ΙΙ (F΄)
3. Control And Evaluation of Cosmetic and Topical Medical Devices (G΄)
4. Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy (G΄)
5. Novel Drug Delivery Systems (H΄)
6. Dosage Form Design (H΄)
7. Properties and Applications of Raw Materials (Η΄)
8. Pharmaceutical Care (Ι΄)
9. Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Sector (H’)

Ε1. Cosmetic Technology - Cosmetology

The course contains basic knowledge about cosmetics It is divided into three parts. The first describes elementary issues of Skin Anatomy and Physiology. The second the most important cosmetic ingredients such as surfactants, humectants, antiseptics, thickeners, antioxidants, dyes, fats, preservatives and water. The third includes the classification, manufacture and use of different cosmetic products for skin, hair, nail oral care, lips and eyes. The practical exercises include the mode of preparation of diverse cosmetic preparations such us creams, lotions, sun protection products, toothpastes, gels, lipsticks, shampoos, gel baths, micellar solutions, nail lacquers.

Learning outcomes

The students learn about the skin so they can understand the relative interaction of cosmetic preparations with it, the raw materials so that they understand the different compositions, and almost all the cosmetic formulas in order to understand the reason for their existence. They also learn how to prepare them so that tomorrow’s pharmacists can prepare, explain and understand the activity and possible toxicity of cosmetic products.

Ε2. Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics II

The Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics II course comprises of the following parts:

A) Introduction

B) Single dose administration – Two compartment open model: IV bolus injection

C) Repeated dose administration – Non-compartmental analysis: Superposition principle

D) Repeated dose administration – One compartment open model: IV bolus and per os administration

E) Pharmacokinetic – Pharmacodynamic modelling: Basic concepts

F) Distribution of drugs into the Central Nervous System

G) Drug absorption after per os administration to children: Population, products, GI physiology in children, food effect on absorption, clinical studies

H) Drug absorption after per os administration to the elderly: GI physiology in the elderly and effect on drug absorption

I) Non-oral extravascular administration of drugs: Nasal, buccal/sublingual, transdermal, intramuscular, rectal, vaginal, ocular and via the central/pulmonary airways

J) Biopharmaceuticals – Biosimilars: Basic concepts and Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic issues; Biosimilar medicines, key concepts and regulatory framework in Europe

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be familiar with basic concepts of Pharmacokinetics after single or repeated dosing and should be able to understand its usefulness for more effective and safer use of drugs; e.g., students should be able to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters from experimental data and use them for planning a dosage regimen. Students should be able to understand the relationship between blood drug concentration and pharmacological action. Students will be familiar with basic principles regarding the distribution of drugs in the Central Nervous System. Students will acquire knowledge of the main characteristics of drug absorption after per os administration to specific subpopulations, i.e., to children and to the elderly. Students should be able to understand the main features of drug delivery by various extravascular routes of administration. Students will acquire knowledge of basic concepts regarding Biotechnological and biosimilar medicines and the related regulatory framework in Europe.

Ε3. Control and Evaluation of Cosmetic and Topical Medical Devices

The course is consisted by definitions of local products, (Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Medical Devices), cosmetic and medical devices classes, legislation basics, technical files, physicochemical tests, microbiological controls, packaging material controls, stability, efficacy, toxicity tests for cosmetics (safety requirements, evaluation based on composition, in vitro studies and in vivo in humans) and topical medical devices (safety requirements, safety in vitro, in vivo in animals , in humans and bibliographical evaluation). It aims to clarify the concepts of local medicinal product, local medical device and cosmetic product and to refer to the necessary studies which, depending on the category of the product, must be carried out in order for it to obtain the relevant authorisation according to its type – classification. Emphasis and more detailed development is given to cosmetic and topical medical devices. The course is also a supplement to the course of “Cosmetic Technology – Cosmetology” where students are taught about the anatomy-physiology of the skin, raw materials and final cosmetic forms.

In this way, students understand why local products are classified in these categories based on legislation and if tomorrow they are called to serve professionally in the relevant field, they will know what controls and evaluations they have to do depending on the type of product. The students are also practically trained as the course includes practical exercises and individually or in small groups they also present relevant projects.

Learning outcomes

The students learn how to evaluate all the necessary parameters of cosmetic and topical medical devices. Practical exercises include physicochemical, toxicity and efficacy tests of different topical products. It is a supplement to the course of “Cosmetics Technology – Cosmetology”.

Ε4. Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy

Activities of Clinical Pharmacists Before, During and After prescribing medications: detecting/ preventing/ monitoring drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and medication errors -including prescription, dispensing and administration errors, evaluating pharmacotherapy, suggesting individualization of dosage regimens, counseling patients, involvement in conduct of clinical trials, pharmacoeconomic studies, preparation of national/local formularies, providing a source of drug information for health care professionals and specific services for diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and anticoagulant clinics.

Drug Dosing in Special Populations: Children, elderly, pregnant women, patients with renal or hepatic disease, cardiac dysfunction, respiratory diseases, digestive, and endocrine disorders. Impact of different genotypes and phenotypes of individuals on pharmacotherapy.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM): Monitoring and individualization of drug dosage regimens by maintaining plasma drug concentrations within a targeted therapeutic range for optimal patient benefit (or safe and effective therapeutic outcomes). Applied for drugs with narrow therapeutic ranges, marked pharmacokinetic variability and dose-related adverse effects using pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data. TDM Methods. Population Pharmacokinetics: basic principles and applications. The Bayesian approach to TDM: basic principle and examples.

Common Clinical Signs /Symptoms and Guidelines for Pharmacotherapy of Various Diseases: Epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorder, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, bronchial asthma, infections, neonatal apnea.

Dosage schemes in anticancer chemotherapy, antiretroviral therapy, for immunosuppressive drugs in HIV disease and organ transplantation. Emphasis on individualization of drug therapy and pharmacokinetics.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should know the basics about clinical pharmacy services, individualized drug dosing and how to determine appropriate drug-dosage regimens/ adjust dosage regimens in special patient groups.

Ε5. Novel Drug Delivery Systems

The “Novel Drug Delivery Systems” course aims at introducing the students to cutting edge areas of pharmaceutical technology, e.g., formulations that are in clinical practice in recent years.

The controlled release products (tablets, transdermal, ophthalmic, contraceptive systems, parenteral products, etc) are described in the first section, giving an account of their characteristics, advantages, and applications.

Other systems, such as monoclonal antibodies, nanotechnology-based carriers/products, liposomes, big molecules, etc, that have either been introduced into therapy in recent years or are currently in use are covered in the second part of the course.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students should have acquired assimilated knowledge on novel drug delivery systems that have been recently introduced to the market and/or are currently under development.

Ε6. Dosage Form Design

This course covers the principles and methodology of the “Quality by Design” regulatory framework for the rational development of the final pharmaceutical products. More specifically the subjects presented mainly include the following : The “Quality Guidelines” with emphasis given on the guidelines ICH8 , ICHQ9 and ICHQ10 related with the pharmaceutical development (QbD) , Quality Risk Management (QRM) and the Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) respectively. The Design of Experiments (DoE) principles and methods such as the mixture and factorial designs are also presented together with case studies enriched with statistical process control tools such as the Shewhart’s control charts for monitoring process stability. Selected case studies are also presented.

Learning outcomes

The lectures and study of the above mentioned subjects will transfer to the students the knowledge required for understanding the necessary quality principles and methodology for “building-in quality” to the pharmaceutical products from the research & development stage, as correctly required by the regulatory authorities. Moreover this course focuses on why and how this QbD approach facilitates product and process optimization.

Ε7. Properties and Applications of Raw Materials

In this course the properties and applications of the major excipients used in final pharmaceutical products are presented. More specifically the subjects covered are mainly the following: principles and regulatory requirements applied in selecting the right excipient for the pharmaceutical products, their interactions ( excipients/excipients and excipients/APIs), their multifunctional role , rational selection of the excipients used in each specific dosage form such as tablets, capsules, oral liquids, suspensions, emulsions, ointments, creams, gels, transdermal patches , suppositories, injectables etc. Moreover a detailed description is also given for the excipients used for preservation, taste masking etc.

Excipients are broken down by category and by pharmaceutical form. E.g.:

lubricants, diluents, binding agents, disintegrants, and coating excipients for tablets

-Fatty phase additives, emulsifiers, emulsifiers, dihydrating agents, gel-forming agents, transmittance accelerators, and precursors: for semi-solid P/M and transdermal therapeutic systems.

-Liquids, Water Soluble, Water Soluble, Water Dispersible, Viscosity Agents: for suspensions.

Preservatives, odor and flavor enhancers, and colorants

Finally, particular emphasis is placed on the properties of polymers, whose applications in the formulation of drugs are wide-ranging.

Learning outcomes:

The lectures and study of the above mentioned subjects will transfer to the students the knowledge required for understanding the properties and applications of the pharmaceutical excipients, which will facilitate their rational use in the final pharmaceutical products in line with the regulatory requirements applied.

Ε8. Pharmaceutical Care

This course offers an introduction to pharmaceutical care. It starts with the definition, historical approach to the term, principles of pharmaceutical care. Medical Care Methods and Practices. The increased role of the pharmacist in the Primary Health Services. Client-centered approach to therapy in an ever-evolving environment. “Quality Assurance” and management of Pharmaceutical Care services. The contribution of Pharmaceutical Care services to the quality of life of patients. Pharmacovigilance data related to Pharmaceutical Care services. Special patient groups and Pharmaceutical Care, and risk management. The role and development of new e-technologies in the provision of pharmaceutical care services. Pharmaco-economics and public health policies: the contribution of pharmaceutical services. Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century: Pharmaceutical Care and Electronic Pharmacy. -Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE).

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to acquire the necessary basic knowledge about the issues they will face in the pharmacy and understand that the role of the pharmacist is to advise and to be able to treat pathological conditions or refer the patient to the appropriate medical specialty. Also to follow the new pharmaceutical data as well as the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any medicine related problems and results of the drugs activity through the pharmacovigilance

E9. Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Sector

The course focuses on the conceptual background of Entrepreneurship. Particular emphasis is placed on the characteristics of the entrepreneur and the environment, both business and economic, in which he/she is called upon to operate. In addition, the course deals with business sustainability and development by presenting in detail the management of the business. The synthesis and empirical illustration of the theoretical knowledge that the course will offer to students will be illustrated by specific case studies of real or virtual businesses in the pharmaceutical industry.

Topics:

Part A: The basic concepts

– Concept of entrepreneurship

– Uncertainty, Risk and Return

– Innovation and Entrepreneurship

– Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities

– The Entrepreneurial Advantage

– International Entrepreneurship – International Business Culture

Part B: The Entrepreneur and his Environment

– The Personal Characteristics of the Entrepreneur

– Society and Entrepreneurship

– The Entrepreneurial and Economic Environment

Part C: Business Sustainability and Development

– Business Sustainability and Business Planning

– The First Steps of an Entrepreneurial Initiative

– The First Step of an Entrepreneurial Initiative

– Successful Entrepreneurship

Part D: Managing the Business

– Administration and Management of Enterprise Resources

– Basic Accounting and Costing Principles

– Sales Promotion

– Product Quality

Case studies

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion the students will acquire a structured conceptual background that will allow them to understand the concept of entrepreneurship and its connection to the pharmaceutical industry. Students will also identify and list categories and subcategories of concepts, such as the steps of an entrepreneurial initiative. They will design guidelines and specifications for a successful business plan. Students would also be able to assess the uncertainty and risk of a business venture.

COURSES OFFERED BY ALL THREE SECTIONS

Compulsory Courses

Υ1. Pharmaceutical Law and Deontology

The course will deal with the legal issues related to the establishment, registration and operation of community and hospital pharmacies and drug wholesalers in EU. General aspects of the regulatory landscape regarding pharmacy practicing will be discussed, along with a historical retrospective of the pharmacy scientific discipline in Greece.

Additionally, an introduction to topics related to national and international agencies, committees and organizations involved in the approval, scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines will be presented.

Further, the subject of pharmacy ethics will be discussed, with emphasis on issues related to the code of ethics governing the relations of professional pharmacists with the state, the public, the peer professionals and the pharmacy apprentices.

Moreover, the course will cover topics related to the drug approval process in the US and Europe, by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and European Medicine Agency (EMA), respectively. The structure (organization chart) of these organizations will be described in detail as well as their activities.

The course also includes reference to the phases of clinical trials, the science of monitoring medicines that are in market and details regarding the pharmacovigilance process. Also, topics related to generics, biosimilars and nanosimilars medicinal products describing their approval process and the dynamic regulatory systems depending on the evolution in science and in technology.

Furthermore, the course will cover topics related to legislation of narcotics (Tables, prescriptions, formulations), as well as of herbal medicines, homeopathic medicines, food supplements, cosmetics.

Learning outcomes:

Students are taught the Pharmaceutical Laws and regulations

Υ2. Pharmacology I

The Pharmacology I course consists of two parts. In the first, general part students are introduced to basic concepts of pharmacology: pharmacodynamics (drug targets, receptors and signalling, agonism, antagonism, dose-response curves, potency, efficacy, therapeutic index) and pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion). In the second part, the students study specific pharmacotherapeutic categories, inducing autonomic nervous system drugs (cholinergic and adrenergic agonists and antagonists) and neuromuscular blocking agents (depolarizing and non-depolarizing), anti-inflammatory agents, antipyretic and analgesic agents, drugs used to treat arthritis and migraine, chemotherapeutic drugs to fight infections bacterial, protozoal, fungal and viral infections. In addition, drugs to treat common respiratory diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rhinitis), gastrointestinal conditions (peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting) and skin diseases are covered. Anticancer agents (alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antibiotics, microtube binding drugs, steroid hormone agonists and antagonists, biologicals and tyrosine kinase inhibitors) are also presented.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to place major drugs into therapeutic categories, explain their mechanism of action, identify indications, contraindications and side effects and report clinically significant pharmacokinetic properties and drug-drug interactions of individual drugs.

Υ3. Pharmacology II

The Pharmacology II course consists of specific pharmacotherapeutic categories, inducing central nervous system drugs (drugs for neurodegenerative disorders, anxiolytics, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, anesthetics, opioids, CNS stimulants and drugs of abuse), drugs for the cardiovascular system including antihypertensive drugs and diuretics, drugs for heart failure, antiarrhythmics, antianginal drugs, anticoagulants and antiplatelets, hypolipidemic drugs, drugs for the endocrine system (drugs for pituitary gland and thyroid, estrogens and androgens, adrenal hormones, antidiabetics and drugs for obesity) and drugs for anemia and drugs for bone disorders.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to explain their mechanism of action, identify indications, contraindications and side effects and report clinically significant pharmacokinetic properties and drug-drug interactions of individual drugs.

Υ4. Introduction to Laboratory Practices

To introduce 1st year students to the subject of the three Sections of the Department of Pharmacy as well as to become familiar with topics and laboratory practices that they will use during the entire course of their studies in Pharmacy and more specifically at the Laboratories of: Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5th and 6th semester), Pharmacognosy (5th and 6th semester), Biopharmaceutics – Pharmacokinetics (5th and 6th semester), Pharmaceutical Technology (7th and 8th semester) Pharmaceutical Analysis (7th and 8th semester).

During the Lab course students will have a total of 15 hour laboratory training at the 5 laboratories of the Department of Pharmacy in the following topics: Laboratory Safety roules, Recrystalization of paracetamol (p-acetamidophenol) (Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Quantitative analysis of hydrochloric acid using neutralizing titration (Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis), Introduction to microscopy of pharmaceutical plant analysis (Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products), Introduction to the chromatography of plant extracts and the phasmatoscopy of bioactive natural products (Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products), the effect of pH on the dissolution of pharmaceutical substances (Laboratory of Biopharmaceutics-Pharmacokinetics), quality of pharmaceutical products: Application of written processes for the production, control and packaging of a solution for external use (cologne) (Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology).

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the laboratory exercises the student should have understood the importance of: a) of safe operation in a laboratory environment, b) basic laboratory practices and procedures (recrystallization, volumetry, microscope use, preparation and use of buffer solutions, application of written procedures in the preparation, control and packaging of pharmaceutical products, c) the use of simple computer software.

Elective courses

Ε1. Introduction to Programming and Computational Methods

This is an introductory course in programming and some fundamental computational issues that students will need during their pharmacy studies. The course is divided into three main parts: A) Calculations with MS Excel®, PC structure, operation, and operating systems Software for applied sciences, Importing into Excel: worksheets, data entry, statistical data processing Basic functions: data correlation; calculation of statistical terms; data retrieval. Import or export data graphs or charts B) Introduction to the MATLAB® and R programming languages Numbers, operators, variables – tables – structures. Flow control: conditional (if, else), loops (for, while, continue) Subroutines, functions, and structured programming Imported or exported data graphs or diagrams C) Developing applications in MATLAB® and R. Tables: Table operations; F: Functions: Finding a function root; Integrals, Differential Equations, Random Numbers, Monte Carlo Simulations, Descriptive Statistics, Diagrams, Statistical Diagrams, Confidence intervals, case control, Probabilities Distributions: probability density functions The course also includes group tasks and presentations.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to know the basics of computer operation, basic aspects of using the MS Excel®, and basic programming skills with MATLAB and R.

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS OFFERED IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Laboratories

1. Biology (B')
2. General Botany (B΄)
3. Analytical Chemistry II (D')
4. Biochemistry (C')
5. Physical Chemistry (D')
6. Toxicology
7. Microbiology

Compulsory Courses (16)

1. Inorganic Chemistry I (A')
2. General Mathematics (A')
3. General Physics (A')
4. Biology (B')
5. Human Anatomy (A')
6. Physiology (C')
7. Pathophysiology of diseases (D')
8. General Botany (B')
9. Analytical Chemistry I (C')
10. Analytical Chemistry II (D')
11. Biochemistry (C')
12. Pharmaceutical Microbiology (D')
13. Physical Chemistry (D')
13. Physical Chemistry (D')
14. Toxicology I (F')
15. Toxicology II (G')
16. First Aid and Elements of Therapeutics (I’)

Υ1. Inorganic Chemistry Ι

This class will provide a foundational understanding of the nature and properties of many types of matter. The structure of matter at the atomic and molecular levels. The structure of the atom and the elements arranged in a periodic table. The link formed by chemicals. Thermodynamics of Chemical Reactions Kinetics of chemical reactions. The characteristics of the solutions. The various acids and bases. Reactions involving oxidation and reduction Complexes and the chemistry of transition metals will be covered in this first section.

Learning outcomes

After finishing the course, the student will be able to explain the structure and bonding of molecules and ions, explain what parameters affect a compound’s crystal structure, and calculate the lattice enthalpy of ionic compounds. Explain the various classifications of acids and bases and anticipate the reactions between them. Explain the definition of coordination compounds, as well as their names and isomerism. Explain the periodic properties of the various categories of compounds, with a focus on the methods of manufacture and applications of selected elements and compounds.

Υ2. General Mathematics

This course is designed to offer students an introduction to the fundamental concepts of mathematics. The following subdivisions are discussed in detail: Matrix theory, limits, and the analysis and solution of systems of linear equations are all topics covered in linear algebra. Calculus Differential and Integral: Limits of Functions and Sequences, the Idea of Series, Continuity, Differential and Derivative Calculus, Determinate and Indefinite Integral Calculus The following are examples of common differential equations: linear equations of the first order, nonlinear equations of the first order, homogeneous equations, Bernoulli equations, full equations, and integral equations. Applications of the aforementioned in the fields of biology and pharmacy.

Learning outcomes

This course is designed to offer students an introduction to the fundamental concepts of mathematics. Matrix theory, limits, and the analysis and solution of systems of linear equations are all covered. Applications of the aforementioned in the fields of biology and pharmacy will be explored as well as differential and Integral Calculus.

Υ3. General Physics

This is an introductory course in physics, and some of the subjects that will be addressed are as follows: solid mechanics (Work, Energy, Power, mechanics, statics, kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies). The mechanics of fluids (Basic concepts – medical and biological applications). Optics (Nature and propagation of light, reflection and refraction, conduciveness, diffraction, barriers and spectra, polarization, medicinal and biological applications) (Nature and propagation of light, reflection and refraction, conduciveness, diffraction, barriers and spectra, polarization, medical and biological applications). Electromagnetic Forces and Electricity (Basic concepts – medical and biological applications). Thermodynamics, or the study of heat (Basic concepts – medical and biological applications). Physics of the atom and the nucleus (structure of atoms, atoms with one electron, atoms with many electrons, Roentgen Rays, medical and biological applications).

Learning outcomes

This course is an introduction in Physics. Topics covered are Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Electricity, Atomic and Nuclear Physics, Thermodynamics, Optics and Heat. Themes covered include work, energy, power, mechanics, statics, kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies.

Υ4. Biology

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of biology. It includes theoretical lectures as well as laboratory exercises. The theoretical part refers to the chemistry of life: atoms, bonds, and simple molecules. The biological importance of water Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids The Cell: Structure and Function Biological Membranes: Structure and Function Organelles. Cytoskeleton. Energy and Metabolism—Cellular Respiration: Forms of Energy—Energy Transformations The Laws of Thermodynamics Free energy, ATP, and cellular work Enzymes. ATP production. Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation Fermentation. Cell Cycle and Cell Division: Mitosis regulators of cell cycle progression. Meiosis: Mechanism. Oogenesis. Spermatogenesis. Artificial Reproduction. Introduction to Genetics: Mendelian Laws The chromosomal theory of inheritance Genetic recombination. Gene mapping.. From Nucleic Acids to Proteins: Replication RNA synthesis (transcription). protein synthesis (translation). The genetic code Repair mechanisms. Viruses: structure and reproduction Viroids. Prions. Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA Technology: Restriction enzymes, cloning DNA vectors. selection of transformed cells. study of the human genome and modern medicine. Subjects of moral safety Genetic Diseases: Chromosomal Mutations Karyotypes, chromosomal abnormalities, chromosomal syndromes Genetic Diseases—Blood Disorders abnormal hemoglobin production, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia Pharmacogenomics. Applications of knowledge to the human genome, pharmacogenomics.

Topics of Laboratory Exercises Microscopy—Cellular Division: Mitosis—Meiosis DNA Isolation. Blood, different types of blood cells, and blood typing Microscopy (cellular division: mitosis and meiosis) and DNA isolation are among the laboratory courses. Blood analysis, blood cell types, and blood typing.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

– Have knowledge of the basic properties of life, theories of the origin and evolution of life, and the basic forms of energy and regulation of metabolism.

– Be able to distinguish the types of cells according to their complexity, learn about their differences and know their life cycle.

– Has knowledge of the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology, classical genetics, and the origin and repair of mutations occurring in DNA.

– He/she has an understanding of the basic principles of Genetic Engineering and its applications in various applied disciplines.

– He/she can operate basic instruments and apply working protocols to carry out laboratory exercises under the perspective of collaboration with fellow students.

– Has strengthened critical understanding, processing and presentation skills.

Υ5. Human Anatomy

The course of “human anatomy” is an introduction to the basic concepts of human anatomy and the structure of the human body. It covers the following chapters: 1. Introduction to Anatomy, 2. Osteology, 3. Articulation System, 4. Musculature, 5. Respiratory system, 6. Endocrine glands, 7. Digestive system, 8. Urinary system, 9. Genital system, 10. Circulatory system and Heart, 11. Central Nervous System, 12. Nervous system.

The course syllabus aims to introduce first-year students to the basic concepts of human anatomy and the understanding of the structure of the human body.

In addition to a general presentation of human body anatomy, those concepts and structures that have particular practical application in clinical medicine and, by extension, pharmacy will be developed in particular.

The main objective of the course is to make a correlation between the anatomical structures and the subject of pharmaceutics and to develop the structures, tissues and organs which will be needed for an essential understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various pharmaceutical substances.

Learning outcomes

The primary objective of the course is to present the fundamental ideas of human anatomy and the structure of the human body, as well as to establish a correlation between structures, tissues, and organs that are essential for developing a meaningful comprehension of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a variety of different medicinal substances.

Υ6. Physiology

The “Physiology” course is an introduction to the fundamental ideas of human physiology. The following topics are covered: Functional organization of the human body, Cell physiology, Functional organization of the central nervous system, Metabolism – Homeostasis, Principles of endocrinology and reproduction, Blood and Blood circulation, Respiratory system, Urinary system, and Gastrointestinal system.

Learning outcomes

Students should have a better understanding and appreciation of mammalian physiology at the end of the course. Understand the functions of key physiological systems such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, reproductive, and metabolic systems. Learn how these distinct systems combine to provide integrated physiological responses to challenges such as exercise, fasting, and ascent to high altitudes—and how they might occasionally fail.

Υ7. Pathophysiology of Diseases

This course is an introduction to some basic ideas regarding the pathophysiology of diseases. Trauma, inflammation, and tissue repair are all covered. Immune system: diseases bones and joints. central nervous system. Skeletal muscles and peripheral nerves. Vascular system. The heart’s structure and function. Organ failure Hematopoietic system: anemias, white blood cell disorders, and platelet disorders. Hematopoietic hyperplastic and neoplastic diseases hemorrhagic disorders and coagulation disorders structure and function of the lungs, frequent and more serious problems.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to explain the general physiological processes that the body uses to maintain homeostasis. Describe the pathophysiology of infection, necrosis, stress, and carcinogenesis. 3. Discuss the causes of disease and their effects on the various organ systems. Recognize the compensatory mechanisms that occur as a result of trauma and sickness.

Υ8. General Botany

This course (theoretical and laboratory) is an introduction to basic principles in the field of botany. The areas covered are: MORPHOLOGY: 1) The plant cell; 2) Organization of the plant (a. histology, b. stem and shoot, c. roots, d. leaves, e. flowers, fruits, and seeds). PHYSIOLOGY: 1) Photosynthesis; 2) Secondary Metabolism; 3) Plant Water Relations: Water and Plant Life 4) Mineral nutrition: essential nutrients, deficiencies, nutrient acquisition, 5) Growth, Differentiation, and Development Humans and plants The laboratory courses refer to ways of identifying basic histological features of plants in microscopic preparations as well as being able to handle an optical microscope.

Learning outcomes.

To understand the structure and organization of eukaryotic plant cells, as well as the fundamental principles of plant physiology at the cell, tissue, organ, and organism levels, as well as botanical categorization.

Υ9. Analytical Chemistry I

The Analytical Chemistry I course consists of the following parts: A) Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, B) Analytical chemical reactions and equations, C) Concentrations of solutions-calculations, D) Reaction rate-chemical equilibrium and their applications in hydrochemical analysis, E) Equilibrium of weak acids and weak bases. Ionization of water, hydrolysis-buffers, F) Solubility product – Sediment formation, G) Equilibrium of ion complexes, H) Amphoteric substances, I) Equilibrium of redox systems, J) Organic reagents in qualitative analysis, K) Introduction to quantitative analysis (Gravimetric analysis-examples, Introduction to volumetric analysis, Acid-base titrations, non-aqueous titrations, Redox titrations, Precipitation titrations, Complexometric titrations.

The course includes laboratory practice with the following content: a) Analytical detection of anions and cations based on characteristic reactions and b) Quantitative determinations mainly via volumetric analysis.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the basic introductory principles of analytical chemistry (i.e. chemical reactions, equations, various calculations), the principles of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The laboratory practice will enable students get familiar with a series of non-instrumental analytical techniques.

Υ10. Analytical Chemistry II

The Analytical Chemistry II course consists of the following parts: A) Introduction to Instrumental Analysis, B) Statistical errors and statistical analysis of analytical data, C) Electrochemical techniques, D) Spectrometric techniques: spectrometry UV-Vis, Infrared spectroscopy, Molecular fluorescence, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Flame Atomic Emission Spectrometry, E) Introduction to separation techniques, extraction techniques, ion-exchange extraction. Chromatographic techniques: Thin Layer and paper Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography, Electrophoresis, F) Kinetic and enzymatic analytical methods.

The course includes laboratory practice with the following content: a) Electrochemical techniques: Potentiometric determination of fluorides in water and toothpastes. Potentiometric titration of acetic acid. Coulometric determination of ascorbic acid, polarographic determination of metal ions b) Spectrometric techniques: Spectrometric determination of ferrum (ferroin method), IR spectroscopy (interpretation of spectra), Determination of quinine in tonic water by Fluorescence, Flame emission spectrometric determination of calcium, determination of zinc in insulin preparations by atomic absorption spectrometry, c) Chromatography: Paper chromatography of metal ions, gas chromatographic determination of organic acids, HPLC analysis of acetyl salicylic acid in pharmaceutical preparations.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the principles of a series of instrumental analytical techniques. The laboratory practice will enable students conduct specific determinations by using these techniques.

Υ11. Biochemistry

The course is the basic introductory course in Biochemistry

The course aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of biochemistry, to relate the concepts to pharmaceutical practice and to understand the big picture of biochemical processes for their effective management at the level of pharmaceutical expertise.

It also addresses introductory concepts in modern molecular biology methodologies so that the student has a comprehensive understanding of the processes and methodologies in pharmaceutical research and practice.

Finally, the course aims to provide students with an understanding of the importance of modern biochemistry and molecular biology in contemporary pharmaceutical practice.

At the laboratory level, the student will have the opportunity to be exposed to key biochemical practices, working with colleagues and understand the safety and best practices of a biochemical laboratory.

This course (both lectures and laboratory exercises) offers an introduction to biochemistry. The following areas are covered: amino acids, proteins, and proteins’ structure and function. Enzymes, kinetics, and mechanisms. Introduction to Molecular Biology: structure and function of nucleic acids; replication; transcription; translation; regulation of gene expression; genetic engineering; protein synthesis Protein metabolism (degradation, urea cycle) sugar metabolism (catabolism and anabolism). Lipid metabolism (catabolism and anabolism) Regulation of metabolism by hormones structure and function of membranes. Principles of Molecular Diagnosis and Pharmacogenomics The laboratory courses include buffer-amino acid titration curves. Amino acids. Proteins. Sugars. Enzymes.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to have an understanding of the basic and critical features of biochemical processes and their link to more general pharmaceutical and therapeutic and diagnostic goals.

Υ12. Pharmaceutical Microbiology

This course includes lectures and lab exercises relevant to the field of pharmaceutical microbiology. The theoretical part includes the following chapters:

Bacteriology: introduction, metabolism, classification, morphology, structure, growth, disinfection, sterilization, control of microbial growth, genetics. Antimicrobial drugs: antibacterial antibiotics, susceptibility test methods. General characteristics of viruses, structure, taxonomy, multiplication, antiviral drugs. General characteristics of fungi, fungal diseases, antifungal drugs. General characteristics of parasites, protozoa, helminths, antiparasitic drugs. Immunology: innate immunity, microbiome, first-second line of defense. Adaptive immunity, humoral immunity, cellular immunity, antibodies, cytokines, vaccines, disorders of the immune system. Principles of infections, epidemiology, pathogenesis, nosocomial infections, transmission, spread of infections, infection patterns. Infections of the skin and the eyes, the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the digestive system and the reproductive system. Viral infections. Laboratory examination of the microbes: microscopy, stains, Gram stain, cultures, antibiogram. Microbiological diagnosis of the upper and lower respiratory tract, tuberculosis, leprosy, urine culture. Antibiogram methods, antibiogram interpretation. Sexually transmitted diseases.

The laboratory courses refer to: Laboratory examination of the microbes: microscopy, stains, Gram stain, cultures, antibiogram. Microbiological diagnosis of the upper and lower respiratory tract, tuberculosis, leprosy, urine culture. Antibiogram methods, antibiogram interpretation. Sexually transmitted diseases.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to explain the anatomy, identity, and growth factors of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi by the end of the course. Discuss microbe cultivation and identification in the laboratory. Explain several sterilizing procedures, as well as their qualities and applications in pharmaceutical microbiology. Discuss antibody principles and kinds, as well as antigen-antibody reactions. Define the terms bacterial vaccines, toxoids, immunization program, and booster dose importance.

Υ13. Physical Chemistry

The course on physical chemistry is an introduction to the basic elements of the field. It contains theoretical lectures as well as laboratory exercises. The theoretical part covers the following areas: Internal energy, enthalpy, Helmholtz and Gibbs free energy, entropy, chemical potential, fundamental and state equations for equilibrium conditions, phase rule, phase equilibria, Clausius-Clapeyron equation, multi-component equilibria, and collative properties are all concepts and laws of thermodynamics. The laboratory work includes: boiling point vs. composition diagrams; Ebulioscopic determination of molecular weights, partially miscible liquids, surface tension of liquids and solutions, conductivity of solutions, electrochemical cells, viscosity of liquids, chemical kinetics.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to explain and apply physical chemistry topics. Explain the chemist’s and chemical engineer’s broad roles in physical chemical measurements and operations. Use proper approaches to solve physical chemistry challenges.

Υ14. Toxicology I

The Toxicology I course consists of the following parts: A) General remarks of Toxicology, B) Absorption – Distribution – Metabolism of toxic substances, C) Exposure, toxic action, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, D) Treatment of poisoning from the various toxicants, E) Occupational Toxicology, F) Alcohols, CO, Drugs G) Undesirable actions – interactions of medicines, H) Topics concerning risk assessment, I) Evaluation of risk/benefit ratio. In vitro Toxicology, J) Toxicological evaluation of new drug

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the general principles of Toxicology and get familiar with various aspects of Toxicology

Υ15. Toxicology IΙ

The Toxicology II course consists of the following parts: A) Environmental Toxicology, B) Clinical Toxicology, C) Experimental Toxicology, D) Industrial Toxicology (TLV’S, BLV’S, Pb, As, Sb, Cd, Dr, Hg, Th, Zn. Toxic gas) Organic solvents, E) Forensic Toxicology, F) Analytical Toxicology, G) Narcotics- Doping, H) Food toxicology-Plant Toxins -Animal toxins

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, students should be able to understand the general principles of Toxicology and get familiar with various aspects of Toxicology

Υ16. First Aid

The course on “first aid” (theoretical and laboratory) provides an overview of the necessary skills a pharmacist should have. The following areas are covered: What is First Aid; Action at an Emergency; Airway obstruction, Basic Life Support – Advanced Life Support; Patients transportation; Finding out what is wrong; Shock, fainting, severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, Bleeding, trauma, amputations, infections, tetanus; Dressing and bandages; Head, eye, nose, dental, chest, abdomen, finger and toe injuries; Animal, Human, snake, spider bites, insect and marine animal stings; Burns, cold and heat related emergencies; Bone joint and muscle injuries- dislocation of major joints; Poisoning; Heart attack, angina pectoris, stroke, seizures, asthmatic attack, diabetic emergencies; First aid supplies; Safety rules in family and social life.

The laboratory part refers to practice in the following: CPR-manekin, dressings and bandages etc.

Learning outcomes

The aim is the acquisition of theoretical scientific knowledge and the development of practical – clinical skills in First Aid. Students will be able to use the knowledge and understanding gained in a way that demonstrates a professional approach to common clinical situations and will have skills that are typically demonstrated by developing and supporting actions to solve problems in common and emergency clinical situations..

Elective courses

E1. Epidemiology

Introduction to nutrition. Basic concepts. Digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients. Energy needs of the human body. Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins and their role in nutrition. Fasting metabolism. Metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases. Mediterranean diet, nutritional value of products of Greek origin. Obesity, Type I and II Diabetes, Current Nutrition Issues. Water, Inorganic compounds, Vitamins. Food contaminants (heavy metals, toxins, PAH, pesticides), Food allergens. Organoleptic characteristics of foods.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion students should be able to know the properties of food ingredients, how digestion takes place and how different groups of the population should be fed, the absorbion and metabolism of foods and if their ingredients (eg antioxidants) can be used to create new products, terms like BMI, BMR, TUL, glycemic index. Treatment of obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, eating disorders.

Ε2. Food Chemistry – Nutrition

Learning outcomes

Ε3. Clinical Chemistry

The course is both theoretical and laboratory-based and offers an introduction to the basic ideas of clinical chemistry. The chapters covered are: Basic principles of laboratory study. Sampling of biological samples. The units in Clinical Chemistry, range of reference values, statistics in Clinical Chemistry, quality assurance. Automation in Clinical Chemistry. Biochemical analysers. Endocrinology, thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the gonads. Diabetes mellitus. Kidney. Enzymes in clinical chemistry. Porphyrins, bilirubin, jaundice. Hepatobiliary disorders, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas. Cardiac function, cardiac markers. Electrophoretic techniques. Serum proteins. Lipids, lipoproteins. Water and electrolyte disorders, acid-base balance, blood gases. Immunology. Immunological determinations. Tumour markers. Therapeutic drug measurement. Introduction to molecular diagnostics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, mutation analysis techniques. Quality control, automation, safety rules, methods of analysis (flame photometry, spectroscopy), drug interference, RIA, ELISA, EMIT, and EIA. Safety regulations in radioisotope handling Cholic acids, enzymes (specialized analyses); dynamic tests (function tests), tumor markers; Hormones (regulation). Hormones of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal, gonadal, thyroid, and pancreas; liver-kidney function and tests The laboratory exercises include urinalysis, pregnancy tests, measurement of creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, ureic acid, and total proteins.

Laboratory measurements: Isolation of serum and plasma from whole blood. Apoproteinosis of serum. Determination of glucose in biological fluids. Determination of liver enzyme activity in serum. Enzyme determination of urea. Electrophoretic techniques. Biochemical analysers (visit to a hospital clinical laboratory). Immunoenzymatic determinations (ELISA type). DNA isolation from whole blood. Clinical applications of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the Clinical Chemistry laboratory exercises is to facilitate the understanding of the basic concepts in the fields of Clinical Chemistry related to diagnostic biochemical tests performed in the Biochemical Laboratories of Hospitals at a routine level and analyses related to the field of Molecular Diagnostics, such as DNA analyses (PCR reaction).