There is also a major emphasis on biotransformation, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of potential drugs. Central aspects in this field are the development of innovative carrier systems such as immune liposomes bringing active substances to their site of action as accurately as possible, the improvement of resorption properties in drugs with low bioavailability and the study of the contribution of certain cellular transport mechanisms to the distribution of active substances in the body. Work on high-pressure sterilisation of foodstuffs and drugs is at the heart of the interdisciplinary cooperation with food technology and physical chemistry departments. On the technological side, the research programme is rounded off by systematic drug development with the help of computer and expert systems and the investigation of polymeric carrier systems. Sophisticated chemical analysis and molecular biology methods are the main tools employed in these evolutionary and pharmaceutical-biological areas.
Research is financed largely by outside funding.
The Faculty also participates in many international cooperation projects. The pharmacy course revolves essentially around the development, procurement and production of drugs, the testing of active agents for identity, purity and content, and the study of the action of various drugs and how to monitor them for safety. In addition, as experts on medicinal drugs pharmacists need to be able to give advice on the action and side-effects of drugs. Pharmaceutical training for prospective pharmacists must comply with the German Approbation Regulations, on which the Faculty has based its study and examination regulations. At present plans are envisaged for greater specialisation within the field of modern pharmaceutical research and a corresponding reorganisation of the syllabus.