The course aims to train students in laboratory skills related to biomaterial science and biomaterial characterization. Scientific writing of their own results will be also addressed. The Laboratory of Biomaterials provides students a thorough knowledge of experimental methodologies to manage the preparation of materials and smart surfaces to elicite specific cellular responses. In the part of Laboratory of Instrumental Analysis the most used investigation techniques for chemico-physical, morphological and mechanical characterization of materials are described, with particular emphasis to the techniques used in the biomedical field.

1)       Obiettivi e contenuti del corso

The objective of the course is the guided attainment, by a strongly experimental approach, of the techniques and problematic concerning the planning of the development of structures and constructs for biomedical application. The course aims to teach a methodological approach by using specific protocols as examples. The specific goals of the course are

1.  to introduce the students to the techniques and methodology typical of the biomaterial science, where the preparative stage is related to the characterization of biomaterials, by a hands-on approach.
2. to give some examples of the preparation and characterization of different types of biomaterials, surface modification, processing techniques will be employed. The prepared samples and some sample materials will be characterized by using different analytical techniques.
3. to teach how to present and discuss the obtained experimental results.

2)       Descrizione degli argomenti trattati

The Laboratory of Biomaterials provides students a thorough knowledge of experimental methodologies for the preparation of materials and smart surfaces to elicite specific cellular responses. In the part of Laboratory of Instrumental Analysis the most used investigation techniques for chemico-physical, morphological and mechanical characterization of materials are described, with particular emphasis to the techniques used in the biomedical field. The students have the possibility to perform the analyses with some of the described techniques in an experimental and guided path aimed to the investigation of experimental samples or biomedical devices.

Preparation and characterization of biomedical hydrogel. Different techniques and different material will be described and used to prepare/synthesise and characterize microspheres, and macrogels.

Preparation of scaffolds. Techniques for obtaining porous scaffold will be employed.

Manufacturing advanced  materials for specific applications and surface modification techniques. Processing is a specific aspect in biomaterials science. Manufacturing advanced materials, e.g. composites, will be part of the experimental work.

Design of biomaterials. At the end of the course, the students will be challenged to develop a research protocol for the production of a scaffold for a specific application. The different approaches will be discussed by peer review within the class, than applied during the experimental lab.

NOTA IMPORTANTE

L'accesso al corso è a numero limitato. La procedura obbligatoria di richiesta accesso si trova qui http://www.ccsbio.polimi.it/?page_id=27 

It should be noted that this is a limited number access course. The mandatory procedure for access request can be found at http://www.ccsbio.polimi.it/?page_id=27  

Organizzazione del corso e modalità di verifica

Experimental lab and practicals are the prevalent part of the course. The students will work in small groups.

Reports regarding the experimental results will be considered part of the evaluation and an oral exam will complete the assessment of the learning. 

The acquirement of the appropriate theoretical knowledge is fundamental to follow the experimental part during the course. For this reason, it will be assessed before each lab activity and its evaluation will contribute to the final grade.

FOR ERASMUS STUDENTS: please note that the access to this course is following selection criteria.  

The mandatory procedure for access request can be found at http://www.ccsbio.polimi.it/?page_id=27