Biological Systems Interfaces

Code:

MEB0029

Acronym:

ISB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biomedical Engineering

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Biomedical Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEB	22	Syllabus	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

English
Obs.: Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to provide students with the necessary tools to understand the various types of interaction that exist between cells and tissues, as well as their natural and artificial environment. The interface between cells and extracellular matrix and between cells and extracellular matrix with medical devices are important examples of biological interfaces.

Topography, as well as the chemical composition and mechanical properties of surfaces, have a decisive influence on the behavior of the various types of cells, including stem cells. This aspect is of great importance in the application of biomaterials, which include biosensors, various types of implants (orthopedic, dental, cardiovascular, etc.) and regenerative therapies. Thus, one of the objectives of this course is to explain how cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation can be affected by the aforementioned properties.

The type, surface density, conformation and turnover of proteins adsorbed onto a surface play a very important role in its behavior. Therefore, the protein-biomaterial interface has to be understood and observed in detail. The physical-chemistry of these interfaces, where water plays an important role, is discussed.

Radical changes in the behavior of the solid-liquid interface and the biomaterial-cell interface can be introduced through the manipulation of surfaces and materials at the nanoscale. Examples of nanotechnologies that apply to modifying the characteristics of biological interfaces (for example: hydrophobicity, inhibition or promotion of cell adhesion and cell proliferation) are also given.

It is necessary to characterize the surfaces and their interactions with biological environments (including fluids, cells and tissues), which are of great importance for the aforementioned processes. For that, special tools are needed for the observation and quantification of the changes that happen in the interface between the material and its environment. Some of the tools used are discussed, as well as the physical and chemical principles.

Other points covered in this course are atomic force microscopy (includes a force microscope by molecular recognition), as well as ellipsometry, zeta potential, determination of contact angles and interfacial energy, surface analysis (for example, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and a quartz crystal microbalance.

Learning outcomes and competences

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 learning outcomes of the UC are:

• Recognize how to perform the physical and chemical characterization of interfaces
• Know the surface properties of biomaterials;
• Recognize and understand the mechanisms of protein adsorption to biomaterials including related phenomena and characterization techniques;
• Understand the types of immune and inflammatory response to biomaterials;
• Know the different methods for modifying the surface of biomaterials.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Physical chemistry of interfaces
     1.1 Structure of dry and wet surfaces (double layers)
     1.2 Energetics (interfacial energies, contact angle, wettability, superhydrophobicity)
2. Protein adsorption to biomaterials.
3. Immune and inflammatory response to biomaterials.
4. Characterization phenomena and techniques to evaluate protein adsorption to biomaterials
5. Drug interactions with biological membranes
6. Surface modification of biomaterials

Mandatory literature

Hans-Jurgen Butt; Physics and chemistry of interfaces. ISBN: 3-527-40413-9
Scott A. Guelcher; An introduction to biomaterials. ISBN: 0-8493-2282-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

The key aspects of each topic are first presented by the teacher, followed by a discussion with students.

The discussion involves questions prepared by the students (to encourage their ability to come up with good questions) and answers, with the involvement of the whole class.

The third component is the discussion of articles selected by the students, based on a bibliographical research. The discussion is carried out by one to three students, starting with a short presentation (usually ten minutes long).

The relevant experiments for this curricular unit are carried out in the laboratory classes of the curricular unit.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Exame	60,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	92,00
Trabalho laboratorial	28,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To obtain frequency, students must obtain a classification in the laboratory work equal to or greater than 10 points and have a classification equal to or greater than 10 in at least two question-and-answer sessions.

Calculation formula of final grade

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to the rules of the Master in Biomedical Engineering.

Classification improvement

According to the rules of the Master in Biomedical Engineering.