99126 - APPLIED BIOMATERIALS

Academic Year 2023/2024

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Photochemistry and Molecular Materials (cod. 9074)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired basic knowledge of bone and articular tissue, biomaterials commonly used for the bone tissue regeneration and for bone implants.

Course contents

The course is aimed at illustrating state of the art, open problems and advanced solutions related

to the use of modern biomaterials for the manufacturing of biomedical implantable devices.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

-demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the structure and function of biomaterials
- demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of biomedical materials for specific applications
- demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the processing of biomaterials

- suggest proper strategies and suitable materials for the developement of biomaterials with tailored properties

The following topics will be discussed:

  • Requirements of Biomaterials: general issues and concerns;
  • Materials used for Biomaterials fabrication: characteristics and properties
  • Metals
  • Ceramics
  • Biopolymers
  • Composite materials
  • Strategies and technologies (conventional/advanced tecniques) for biomaterials synthesis
  • Biocompatibility, brief overview of in vitro and in vivo tests used for biomaterials validation
  • Introduction to bone and osteochondral tissue: composition, morphology, bone turnover and common diseases
  • Current strategies for bone tissues replacement and repair:
  • metallic implants for bone substitution
  • Scaffolds for bone regeneration and principles of Tissue Engineering approach
  • Bone cements
  • Biomaterials designed as «in situ» drug delivery systems

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and supporting materials will be available for students in electronic format.

Teaching methods

Power Point presentation.

Interactive discussions during class hours will take place on some selected papers provided by the teacher. During the course will also be proposed exercises to be carried out in groups to develop ideas and propose solutions regarding the topics addressed.

Assessment methods

Oral examen starting from the discussion of a recently published paper.

Teaching tools

PC, blackboard, Power point.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Panzavolta