Code: | L.BIO023 | Acronym: | ISBI |
Keywords | |
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Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Biomedical Engineering |
Active? | Yes |
Responsible unit: | Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering |
Course/CS Responsible: | Bachelor in Bioengineering |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
L.BIO | 35 | Syllabus | 3 | - | 4,5 | 52 | 121,5 |
Objectives - The main aim of the course is to provide scientific tools required to understand various types of interactions that take place between cells and tissues and their natural and artificial environments. The interfaces between cells and extra-cellular matrix (ECM), and cells and ECM with medical devices are important examples of biological interfaces.
Topography, chemical composition and mechanical properties of surfaces influence decisively the behaviour of various types of cells, including stem cells. This is of great relevance in the application of biomaterials, including in biosensors, various types of implants (orthopaedic, dental, cardiovascular, etc) and in regenerative therapies. Hence, one of the purposes of the course will be to explain how cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation may be affected by the above properties.
The type, surface density, conformation and renewal of proteins adsorbed onto a surface play a critical role in its behaviour. Thus, the protein-biomaterial interface has to be understood and observed in detail. The physical chemistry of these interfaces, where the presence of water is of fundamental importance, will be covered.
Radical modifications in the behaviour of solid-liquid and biomaterial-cell interfaces may be introduced by manipulating surfaces and materials at the nanoscale. Examples of nanotechnologies applied to modify essential features of biological interfaces (e.g. hydrophobicity, inhibition or promotion of cell adhesion and guided cell growth) will be given.
Characterization of surfaces and their interactions will biological environments (including fluids, cells and tissues) is of great importance in all the above processes. Therefore, special tools are required for observation and quantification of changes taking place at the interface between a material and its bioenvironment. Some of those tools and the physical and chemical principles in which they are based will be presented in the course. Atomic force microscopy (including molecular recognition force microscopy), elipsometry, zeta potential measurements, contact angle and interfacial energy determinations, surface analysis (e.g. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy - XPS), and quartz crystal microbalance will be covered.
Skills and learning outcomes: Develop knowledge and capacities in principles, concepts and methods applicable to explain, evaluate and modify the interplay between natural and artificial surfaces/substrates and their biological environment.
The key aspects of each topic will be presented first by the lecturer. This is followed by a thorough discussion.
The discussion involves questions prepared by students (to stimulate their ability to ask good questions) and answers, with the involvement of the whole class.
The third component is the discussion of articles selected by students, based on a literature search. The discussion is carried out by one to three students, initiated by a short presentation (usually ten minutes long).
Experiments relevant to this course will be carried out in dedicated lab sessions.
Designation | Weight (%) |
---|---|
Exame | 60,00 |
Participação presencial | 10,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial | 30,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
Designation | Time (hours) |
---|---|
Estudo autónomo | 92,00 |
Frequência das aulas | 42,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial | 28,00 |
Total: | 162,00 |
In order to be admitted to the final exam students must have a laboratory work score of 10 or higher and have a score of 10 or higher in at least two question and answer sessions.
The final mark will result from the mark obtained in the final exam (60%; minimum “7 valores”), lab sessions (30%) and the mark obtained in the classes (10%: presentations, discussions and answer/questions sessions).
Not applicable.
As specified by the rules applicable to the Degree in Bioengineering
As specified by the rules applicable to the Degree in Bioengineering