Biomaterials

Year
0
Academic year
2024-2025
Code
01004389
Subject Area
Biochemistry
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Other Languages of Instruction
English
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes: oral exposition, using audiovisual support materials and internet access. Theoretical concepts will be accompanied and supported by application examples and case studies.

Laboratorial classes: activities pre-preparation, teaching supervision on laboratorial tasks/procedures. Students organized in groups.

Laboratorial demonstrations on some selected issues, to be performed by teachers with the help of research students. Tutorial supervision for other tasks and projects (if proposed). Special Seminars will be scheduled which will be presented by specialist guest lecturers.

Learning Outcomes

This course serves as an introduction and a critical assessment of the major issues related to Biomaterials and to their uses in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Students will acquire the required theoretical knowledge to understand all the multidisciplinary approaches (including Engineering) which are involved in the development and applicability of biomaterials. These approaches will be focused on the mutual structure-property-application relationships of biomaterials, namely the synthesis, processing, characterization, properties, applications, biocompatibility and interactions with biological systems, delivery of bioactive substances and nanotechnologies.

Laboratory skills will be also improved by carrying out of several specific laboratorial activities and by the attendance/participation in laboratorial demonstrations. Experts in several Biomaterials areas will be invited to present special Seminars on course themes and on other related subjects.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Theoretical component: introduction to biomaterials;  types of biomaterials; applications and important/required properties; historical perspective on the development and application of biomaterials; metallic biomaterials; ceramic biomaterials; polymeric biomaterials; composite biomaterials; biomaterials and biomedical devices for soft- and hard-tissue applications; hydrogels; bioactive substances delivery systems; nanobiomaterials.

Laboratorial component: laboratorial classes involve the tutorial supervision of pre-determined laboratorial activities/projects, concerning the synthesis, processing and characterization of specific biomaterials and biomedical devices. Students will be organized in groups and will develop a laboratorial project during the entire semester.

Several laboratorial demonstrations will be performed by teachers (with the help of research students). Experts in several biomaterials areas will be invited to present special Seminars on specific subjects.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 20.0%
Midterm evaluation test (laboratorial activitivities): 30.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

J. Park, R.S. Lakes, Biomaterials. An Introduction, 3rd Ed., Springer Science, NY, USA, 2007.

B.D. Ratner, A.S. Hoffman, F.J. Schoen, J.E. Lemons, (Eds.), Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine, 2nd Ed., Academic Press, Elsevier, The Netherlands, 2004.

J.B. Park, J.D. Bronzino, (Eds.), Biomaterials. Principles and applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2003.

M. Jenkins (Ed.), Biomedical Polymers, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2007.

C.T. Laurencin, L.S. Nair, (Eds.), Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2008.

Saltzman, W.M., Drug Delivery – Engineering Principles for Drug Therapy, Oxford University Press, 2001.

G.E. Wnek, G.L. Bowlin, Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, 2nd Ed., Vols 1-2, Informa Healthcare, NY, USA, 2008.

Outra bibliografia poderá ser indicada/fornecida durante as aulas da disciplina/Other bibliographic materials may be provided/indicated during course classes.