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Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences: BioTherapeutics

BioTherapeutics is a specialisation of the Master’s programme Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences of Leiden University. It offers research-orientated education on the areas of specific drug delivery techniques, and the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat immune-based disorders, such as atherosclerosis, metabolic disorders and inflammatory skin diseases. Research Project 1 will be conducted at the cluster BioTherapeutics of the LACDR on one of the research themes described below. Please check the tab “More info” for the general outline of the programme.

The mission of the Division of Drug Delivery Technology is to provide new strategies for the delivery of biologically active compounds at the right dose, at the right time and at the right place. Research activities are organized in two major, interrelated research lines: “Skin Research” and ”Biologics Research”. New research goes beyond conventional immunization, such as designing non-invasive delivery routes and microneedles.

The Division of Biopharmaceutics focusses on the development of experimental therapeutic approaches to treat cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. To study the complex interaction of drugs in different organic systems, research is performed at the gene, immune cell and lipid level in various in vitro and in vivo models; one of the strengths of the Division of Biopharmaceutics. Interventions developed so far range from bone marrow transplantation to experimental therapies using antibody-based interventions, therapeutic vaccines, and gene therapeutic approaches.

First and Second Year

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Mandatory courses:

Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences: BioTherapeutics 5
Scientific Conduct 1
Literature Study LACDR 7

Research Project 1 at the Cluster BioTherapeutics

Research Project 1 - Practical Work 44
Research Project 1 - Thesis 5
Research Project 1 - Oral Presentation 2

The MSc programme of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences offers the following Lecture Series in the academic year 2015–2016 (one of these is mandatory):

Regulation of Drug Safety 4
Atherosclerosis 4
Metabolic disorders: From molecular mechanisms to Metabolomics and back 4
Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry 4
A Clinical Pharmacologist Approach to type 2 Diabetes 4
Signal Transduction and Hallmarks of Cancer (adapted from Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Death) 4
Quantitative Pharmacology 4
Model organisms in cancer drug discovery and development 4
Drug Delivery 4
Cell adhesion signaling in health and disease 4
Blood-Brain Barrier: Drug Transport to the Brain 4

Optional courses in the academic year 2015–2016 (list is not restrictive):

IP Law in Science 5
Science Methodology 4
Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6

More info

An overview of Exam Dates as well as Class numbers for enrolling for courses and exams in uSis can be obtained here

General outline of the MSc programme of the research track BioTherapeutics:

Level

EC

Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences: BioTherapeutics

500

5

Research project 1, at the cluster BioTherapeutics

* practical work

600

44

* thesis

600

5

* oral presentation

500

2

Research project 2, (preferably in another discipline of BPS, not restricted to the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences)

* practical work

600

31

* thesis

600

5

Literature study plus thesis

500

7

Lecture series 1 (in BPS)

500

4

Course Scientific Conduct

500

1

20 Colloquium points

500

1

Optional courses or traineeships

400–600

(max 12 EC