91237 - Polymeric Materials for Life Science

Learning outcomes

At the end of this Course the student will have a deep knowledge of the properties of the main polymeric materials that are used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical field. In particular the student will gain basic knowledge regarding the principles of biocompatibility and biodegradability of the polymeric materials that are used for regenerative medicine and drug release applications.

Course contents

1. INTRODUCTION. Polymeric materials for life science: definitions. History. Biocomatibility, bioactivity, bioinertness and methods of assessment in vitro and in vivo.

2. Interactions between polymeric biomaterials and biological tissues.

3. Classification of polymeric materials:

• Synthetic polymeric materials
• Natural polymeric materials
• Bioresorbable materials. Biodegradation process.

4. Structure-properties correlation and sectors of application of the main classes of polymeric biomaterials. Problems related to the design, the processing and the use of polymeric materials in the biomedical field as medical devices, for applications in the following sectors: cardio-vascular; orthopedic; ophthalmologist; surgery of soft tissues; artificial skin and wound dressing; artificial organs.

5. Role of water: hydrogels and polyelectrolytes:

• classes of hydrogels
• characterization of viscoelastic properties of hydrogels

6. Functionalization and surface modification of polymeric biomaterials.

7..Bacterial adhesion on polymeric materials and sterilization. Effect of sterilization on the properties of polymeric biomaterials

8. Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering:

• Introduction to tissue engineering
• Polymeric scaffolds
• Main requirements of scaffolds
• Techniques for scaffold fabrication

9. Membranes for dialysis and artificial kidney

10. Drug release and soluble polymers as drug carriers.

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

VISIT TO A COMPANY

Readings/Bibliography

The lesson's notes will be fundamental.

Teaching material (scientific books, literature articles and power point presentations) will be distributed during lessons and it will available on line (Virtuale platform).

Among suggested books: Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine, Buddy D. Ratner, Academic Press.

Teaching methods

Room lectures.

Presentations will be available for the students through Virtuale platform.

Short presentations of researchers from both industrial and public healthcare structures, will be planned during lessons, to illustrate professional experiences and to examine in depth specific thematics.

A visit to a company of the Biomedical District in Mirandola will be performed.

Students will be invited to prepare power point presentations on specific themes to illustrate during the lessons.

Attendance to course lessons is strongly recommended to understand the most fundamental aspects of the subject and the correlations among the different parts of the programme.

It is planned one lesson in the lab of the Polymer Science and Biomaterials Group. All students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme.

 

Assessment methods

Learning assessment is based on oral examination at the end of the course. The oral examination will last around 30 minutes. The final mark of the exam will be based on both the power point presentation given by the student during the course, and on a couple of questions related to the course programme.

The oral examination will take into account the ability of the student to make connections among the various parts of the course programme and to design polymeric materials and products for specific applications in the biomedcal field, on the basis of the acquired knowledge.

Good language properties and the ability to make connections among the different parts of the programme will involve a higher score.

Teaching tools

Lectures with the aid of PC, projector.

Short presentations of researchers from both industrial and public healthcare structures, will be planned during lessons, to illustrate professional experiences and to examine in depth specific thematics.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Letizia Focarete