Biocompatible Materials I: Fundamentals

Lecturer(s)

PD Dr. H. Hall-Bozic, K. Maniura

Hour(s) of lecture(s), exercise(s) and credit points

3L
3CP

Teaching goals

The class consists of three parts:
1. Introdcution into molecular characteristics of molecules involved in the materials-to-biology interface. Molecular design of biomaterials.
2. The concept of biocompatibility.
3. Introduction into methodology used in biomaterials research and application.

Summary and outline

Introduction into native and polymeric biomaterials used for medical applications. The concepts of biocompatibility, biodegradation and the consequences of degradation products are discussed on the molecular level. Different classes of materials with respect to potential applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery are introduced. Strong focus lies on the molecular interactions between materials having very different bulk and/or surface chemistry with living cells, tissues and organs. In particular the interface between the materials surfaces and the eukaryotic cell surface and possible reactions of the cells with an implant material are elucidated. Techniques to design, produce and characterize materials in vitro as well as in vivo analysis of implanted and explanted materials are discussed.

In addition, a link between academic research and industrial entrepreneurship is established by external guest speakers.

Requirements for credit points: 2 written tests (45 min each), oral presentation at the end of the term.

Literature

The molecular Biology of the Cell, Alberts et al., 4th Edition, 2002.

Principles in Tissue Engineering, Langer et al., 2nd Edition, 2002

Handouts provided during the classes and references therin.