Overall objectives:

1 - To acquire theoretical and practical knowledge (at the laboratory level) in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
2 - To understand the multi and interdisciplinary character of the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering area.
3 - To be aware of the past and future evolution of the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering area.

Syllabus:

1 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOMATERIALS: Definition of biomaterial and the economic importance of the biomaterials market. The multi and interdisciplinary nature of the field. Ethical considerations.
2 - MATERIALS USED IN MEDICINE: Mechanical and surface properties. Key materials used in medicine: polymers, metals, ceramic materials and glasses, composites, and others. Surface modification of biomaterials.
3 - BIOMATERIALS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT: Biocompatibility. Cellular/tissue responses to the presence of a biomaterial and vice versa. Biological evaluation of biomaterials.
4 - TISSUE ENGINEERING: Tissue engineering vs regenerative medicine. Elements for tissue engineering: cells, matrices, and biochemical/physical factors. Stem cells and differentiation. Biomaterials used and aspects related to the three-dimensionality of substrates. Chemical and mechanical stimuli.
5 - NANOMATERIALS: Properties and main applications of nanomaterials in the biomedical field (drug/nucleic acid delivery, imaging, etc.). Biological barriers to the action of nanoparticles in the human body.

Literature/Sources:

Vários , Artigos científicos de revisão na área / Review papers in the area. ,
William R Wagner, Shelly E. Sakiyama-Elbert, Guigen Zhang, Michael J. Yaszemski (editors) , 2020 , Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine , Elsevier Science
Robert Langer, Joseph P. Vacanti (editors) , 2020 , Principles of Tissue Engineering , Elsevier Science
Tuhin Subhra Santra, Loganathan Mohan (editors) , 2021 , Nanomaterials and Their Biomedical Applications , Springer

Assesssment methods and criteria:

Classification Type: Quantitativa (0-20)

Evaluation Methodology:
The theoretical classes are explanatory (accompanied by multimedia presentations) and also involve discussions with the students. The laboratory classes consist of conducting experimental work in agreement with the syllabus content. The evaluation of this course is based on: a) Written tests; the tests allow evaluation of knowledge and skills acquired by each student; the tests weigh 60% in the overall course evaluation; b) Lab reports from the experimental works done along the semester (group work); the lab reports allow the evaluation of the students capacity to work in team and to interpret and communicate the experimental results; the lab reports weigh 40% in the overall course evaluation.