HMX Pro Pharmacology
Drug Delivery
Understand advances in drug delivery systems – and the implications for patient care.
The range of systems and approaches that can be used to deliver therapeutics is growing and advancing at an incredible rate, so learning about the advances in drug delivery has important implications for anyone working in health care and related sectors.
This online course offers a unique way for professionals to learn from leading Harvard Medical School faculty about cutting-edge drug delivery systems and approaches that can be used in the treatment and prevention of disease.
Course Topics
Overview of Drug Delivery
- What is Drug Delivery?
- The Promise of Drug Delivery
Drug Delivery Systems
- Overview of Drug Delivery Systems
- Local Administration for Systemic Effect
- Local Administration for Local Effect
- Systemic Administration for Systemic Effect
- Systemic Administration for Local Effect
- Clinical Linkage: Closed Loop Systems
Selected Approaches to Drug Delivery
- Overview of Drug Delivery Approaches
- Enhancing Permeation
- Modifying Drugs by Attachment to Polymers
- Manipulating Existing Drug Transport Mechanisms
- Utilizing Vectors to Deliver Drugs
- Remote Triggering
- Clinical Linkage: Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Systems
Materials and Systems
- Overview of Materials and Systems
- Polymeric Materials
- Non-polymeric Materials
- Triggerable Materials
- Microparticles vs. Nanoparticles
- Hydrogels
- Biocompatibility
- Clinical Linkage: Developing New Drug Delivery Systems
Wrap-up
- The Future of Drug Delivery
Download the Drug Delivery course outline
Course Instructors
Kate McDonnell-Dowling, PhD
Lecturer in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School
Associate Director of Curriculum, HMX
Daniel Kohane, MD, PhD
Professor of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School
Pediatric Critical Care Physician, Boston Children’s Hospital
Philip Cole, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine and Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School Senior Investigator, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
More Information
Frequently asked questions
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for professionals in health care, life sciences, and related industries who want to have a better understanding of drug delivery for their work.
What do participants need to know to succeed in this course?
We recommend basic knowledge of chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as an understanding of key pharmacology concepts. If you need further background in pharmacology, we also offer an introductory course, HMX Pro Pharmacology – Essentials.
Not sure? Take this short quiz to gauge your knowledge of pharmacology concepts.
What is the time commitment?
Most people can expect to spend around 15–20 hours total, but this depends on your baseline knowledge, how carefully you take notes, and how seriously you take the assessments. New course material is released periodically, and remains available until the course period ends, so participants can work at their own pace. There is a final exam at the end of each course that can be taken any time during the final exam period.
Can participants earn certificates from Harvard Medical School?
There are two certification levels, based on participant scores:
- Certificate of Achievement
- Certificate of Completion