Introduction to Biomaterials

Introduction to Biomaterials (257 - 15553)
Study: Bachelor in Biomedical Engineering
Semester 2/Spring Semester
3rd Year Course/Upper Division

Students are Expected to have completed:
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry

Compentences and Skills that will be Acquired and Learning Results:

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multidisciplinary field of biomaterials, focusing on the biological responses to materials and the clinical context of their use. Through lectures, paper reviews, in class discussions and invited lectures, students will be introduced to the Biomaterials Science and the physiological interactions between body environment and biomaterials. Students will be required to acquire understanding and expertise from analysis of primary literature and will complete group presentations on the status of state-of-the-art biomaterial applications, including medical implants, artificial organs, and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Description of Contents: Course Description:

This course is intended to provide a general understanding of the multidisciplinary field of biomaterials. Specifically, different types of biomaterials and the body¿s natural responses to biomaterial implantation will be studied. In addition, biomedical applications of biomaterials as well as design and development of commercial products will be addressed.

1. Introduction to Biomaterials. Basic concepts
2. Biopolymers
3. Bioceramics
4. Biomaterial degradation
5. Biomechanical assessment of biomaterials
6. Surface modification of biomaterials
7. Extracellular matrix-based biomaterials
8. Biomaterial implantation: acute inflammation and wound healing
9. Immune response to biomaterials
10. Infection, tumorigenesis and calcification of biomaterials
11. Blood-biomaterial interactions
12. Bioentrepreneurship: Product development

Learning Activities and Methodology:

The program will be divided into master classes (lectures) and discussion/problem classes (seminars). For specific subjects, there will be invited lectures given by prestigious professionals in the field. The topics covered by the invited speakers are part of the subject and will be evaluated in the continuous evaluation blocks and in the final exam as well. Students may be required to read assigned chapters/articles before the lectures and seminars. In the discussion classes, relevant scientific articles and problems will be presented and discussed by the students and the teaching team.

Visits to Madrid Science Park (Cantoblanco) are foreseen.

Assessment System:

Grading will be based on continuous evaluation and a final exam covering the whole subject, including invited lectures and seminars. Help sessions and tutorial classes will be held prior to the final exam upon students´ request.
Attendance to lectures and seminars is not compulsory. However, failure to attend any test or submit the exercises before the deadline will result in a mark of 0 in the corresponding continuous evaluation block (see below).

GRADING:
Total score: 10 points
Continuous evaluation: 4 points out of 10
Final exam: 6 points out of 10

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION: It accounts for up to 40% of the final score of the subject (4 points of the TOTAL SCORE), and includes two components:
1) Two tests: 2.8 points of THE TOTAL SCORE. These tests will take place mostly during lectures and will be announced at least one week in advance.
2) Scientific paper presentation: 1.2 points of THE TOTAL SCORE.

FINAL EXAM: The final exam will cover the whole subject, including invited lectures and seminars, and will account for the 60 % of the final score (6 points of the TOTAL SCORE). The minimum score in the final exam to pass the subject is 4 over 10, notwithstanding the mark obtained in continuous evaluation.

EXTRAORDINARY EXAM: The mark for students attending any extraordinary examination will be either a) 100% extraordinary exam mark, or b) 60% extraordinary exam mark and 40% continuous evaluation if it is available in the same course.

ACADEMIC CONDUCT: Unless specified, all exams will be closed-book, closed-notes, no PC or mobile phone, or anything else other than a writing implement and the exam itself. Plagiarism, cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any infractions whatever will result in a failing grade.

Basic Bibliography:

David Williams. Essential Biomaterials Science. Cambridge University Press. 2014
Jason A. Burdick and Robert L. Mauck. Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Review of the Past and Future Trends. Springer Verlag. 2011
Johnna S. Temenoff and Antonios G. Mikos. Biomaterials: The Intersection of Biology and Materials Science. Prentice Hall. 2009

Additional Bibliography:

Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman and Shiv Pillai. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Saunders. 2011
Buddy D. Ratner, Allan S. Hoffman, Frederick J. Schoen and Jack E. Lemons. Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine. Academic Press . 2012
Clark R.A.F. and Henson P.M. . The Molecular and Cellular Biology of Wound Repair. Plenum Press. 1996
Kay C. Dee, David A. Puleo and Rena Bizios. An Introduction to Tissue-Biomaterial Interactions. Wiley-Liss. 2002
María Vallet-Regí. Bio-Ceramics with Clinical Applications. Wiley. 2014