Handbook

This course focuses on an important current trend in the pharmaceutical industry: the advent of biologics and other macromolecular drugs. Several classes of biological macromolecules (e.g. DNA, RNA, proteins, carbohydrates) are examined in detail, including their structure and function; methods for their industrial production; and examples of their therapeutic use. A strong emphasis will be given to the currently-relevant science of mRNA vaccines. Non-natural macromolecules / nanoparticles will also be examined, including their use either as therapeutics in their own right or as delivery agents for other macromolecular therapeutics (e.g. liposomes for mRNA vaccines). The course includes several small-group-based literature review projects that are designed to enable peer-to-peer learning. 

The course structure consists of one pre-recorded lecture per week (1h); one face-to-face workshop per week (3h); and one laboratory class per week (4h).