Course Syllabus
Engineering Biomaterials |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Fall 2024 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biomedicine/Biotechnology, Engineering, Biology |
| Prerequisites: |
Two courses in math, plus a total of five courses within engineering, basic science (biology, chemistry, physics), and/or computer science, all at university level. At least one of these courses should be an engineering course. |
| Faculty Members: |
Georgios A. Sotiriou, Ph.D |
| Program Director: |
Natalia Landázuri Sáenz, PhD |
| Program Contact: | |
| Time & Place: |
Mondays, 8:30-11:25 Classroom: 1D-411 |
Course Description
Dissolvable wound dressings, replacement hips, contact lenses, nanoparticle vaccines – biomaterials are substances suitable for interaction with biological systems, ultimately intended for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. What technologies are in development now? What biomaterials are poised to change our lives? Examine the design and characterization of biomaterials, emphasizing the interplay between material and human tissue. Focus areas include the principles and applications of biomaterials with specific physical, chemical, and mechanical properties which, for example, serve as substrates for tissue-engineered constructs, cell and drug delivery systems, or coatings of implantable devices.
The course has a modular structure, as follows:
Module 1: Overview of classification and use of biomaterials in biomedical applications
Classification of materials
Module 2: Manufacturing and characterization of biomaterials
Methodology for manufacturing of biomaterials (including 3D-printing)
Analysis of physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of biomaterials
Module 3: Tissue-material interactions
Biocompatibility of biomaterials (assessing an adverse response)
Bioactivity of biomaterials
Methodology for analysis of host response at cellular and physiological levels
Module 4: State of the art applications and current research
Analysis of recent case studies from peer-reviewed scientific publications. Examples may include tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery vehicles, and implantable devices.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe different types of materials used in biomedical applications
- Describe methodologies to analyze physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of biomaterials
- Explain important considerations in the design and utilization of biomaterials for particular biomedical applications and in the context of regulatory frameworks
- Explain potential (advantageous and adverse) cellular and physiological reactions to the presence of biomaterials in particular applications
- Discuss and critique the latest advances in the field of biomaterials as presented in the primary scientific literature
- Discuss future directions within the field of biomaterials
- Discuss and evaluate a material according to given specifications and patient/user need(s).
Faculty
Dr. Georgios A. Sotiriou is an Associate Professor in Biomaterials Science in the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at Karolinska Institutet leading the Bionanomaterial Technology Laboratory. After receiving his Diploma in Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences from the National Technical University of Athens (2006), he obtained an MSc in Micro- and Nanosystems from ETH Zurich (2008). He received his PhD from the Particle Technology Laboratory (Prof. Pratsinis group) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2011) and carried out postdoctoral research stays in Harvard University (2013-2015, Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Prof. Demokritou group) and ETH Zurich (2015-2016, Drug Formulation and Delivery Lab, Prof. Leroux group) before joining MTC.
link to the lab website: https://sotirioulab.org/
Readings
In addition, students are provided with recent peer-reviewed scientific publications for critical analysis of the latest advances within the field of biomaterials. Potential examples include:
Hanai, H., et al. Potential of Soluble Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering – Comparison of Various Mesenchymal Tissues. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.581972
Hansson, M. L., et al. Artificial spider silk supports and guides neurite extension in vitro. FASEB J. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.20210 0916R
Yan, H. et al. Glyco-Modification of Mucin Hydrogels to Investigate Their Immune Activity. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2020. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c03645
Field Studies
We will have two course-integrated field studies to learn how biomaterials are developed and utilized in industry, clinic, or research.
Field studies may include
Visit to laboratories at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Visit to laboratories at Kungliga Tekniska Högskola (Royal Institute of Technology), Stockholm, Sweden
Guest Lectures
Guest lecturers (experts in a particular area of biomaterials) may be invited to talk about topics of particular interest to students.
Approach to Teaching
We use various teaching methods, including interactive lectures, class discussions, critical analysis of reading material, field studies, and group work. We analyze state-of-the-art published research in the form of journal club. The pace and specific activities planned for certain days may change, depending on your interests and background.
Expectations of the Students
- You should participate actively during lectures, discussions, group work, and exercises.
- Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times, laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class meetings.
- Readings must be done prior to the class session. A considerable part of the class depends on class discussions.
- In addition to completing all assignments and exams, you need to be present, arrive on time, and actively participate in all classes and field studies to receive full credit. Your final grade will be affected, adversely, by unexcused absences and lack of participation. Your participation grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for every unexcused absence. Remember to be in class on time!
- Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
- You are expected to ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
- Excuses for any emergency absences must be given beforehand. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed coursework.
Evaluation
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all of the assigned work must be completed.
You are expected to turn in all assignments on the due date. If an assignment is turned in after the due date, your assignment grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for each day the submission is late.
Grading
Active participation: Includes attendance, preparation for lectures and other sessions, active participation in learning activities, and class discussions.
Exams: Oral presentations during class regarding the topics of biomaterials and final proposed suggestion to address an unmet medical need.
Assignments: Assignments related to field studies, graded preparation exercises for class, assignments related to reading material and journal club.
Journal club: Journal club consists of group work, presentations, and class discussions. These serve to develop our skills in critical thinking, critical reading, teamwork, structuring information for presentations, and developing presentations. You will present parts of a scientific articles focused on the latest developments within the field of biomaterials. You should clearly present the findings and conclusions of the article. The journal club presentation should follow a logical and clear structure. It should include the most relevant information on the background, methods, conclusions and perspectives of the paper, as well as a critique of the methods, results and conclusions. Each student should read the paper and prepare 1-2 questions each as well as a brief summary of impressions of the paper that will be due before the journal club meeting begins.
Final project and presentation. At the end of the semester, students work on a research project to propose a biomaterial or a technology to meet an unmet clinical need, using the conceptual framework covered over the course. Students will prepare an oral presentation of their project, and submit a written report.
| Active participation |
10% |
| Exams |
30% |
|
Assignments |
15% |
|
Journal club |
15% |
|
Final project |
30% |
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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