Dott.ssa Patrizia Chetoni visits the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Dott.ssa Patrizia Chetoni from the Department of Bioorganic Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics University of Pisa visited the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Malta under the University of Malta, University of Pisa Link Agreement from the 4th to 7th July 1999.  Dott.ssa Chetoni is Assistant Professor at University of Pisa (Italy), where since 1995 she has been teaching Pharmaceutical Technology.  Her main research interests are Ophthalmic Drug Delivery, Bioadhesion, Control Drug Delivery.  During her stay she delivered a seminar to staff and postgraduate students on Bioadhesion, and Ophthalmic Drug Delivery, specifically "Alternative Methods For Ocular Toxicity Evaluation Of  Drugs And Adjuvancts".

During her talk Dott.ssa Chetoni described how the bioavailability of ophthalmic preparations may be prolonged by vehicle manipulation and modification of conceal permeability.  These penetration enhancers have been studies using 'in vitro' alternative methods by using cell cultures from rabbit and human corneal epitheal cells differential scanning calorimetry and electrophysiological methods.

During the last three years a great deal of work has been undertaken in establishing stronger research links between the two Universities,  in several disciplines and there has been several exchange visits between the two Institutions. Among the joint research being carried out are also studies on pharmacological active material from botanical plants of mutual interest between the Departments of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and that of Anatomy in Malta and the Department of Bioorganic Chemistry and Biopharmacy in Pisa.