Catalogo dei Corsi di studio

The student will be guided to understand the molecules, polymers and the most important materials used in the biomedical field. It will have to know how to relate the main chemico-physical and structural properties of the biomaterials with the functions carried out in the organism in relation to the mechanisms of interaction with the organism itself. He will learn the most important properties and uses of metals, ceramics and biopolymers, in particular polypepetides and polysaccharides, of biomedical interest.
For a specific biomedical task, it will have to be able to identify the most suitable combination of biomaterials to solve the problem.
The student will develop critical and judgmental skills through the discussion in the classroom of the topics covered during the lectures.
These objectives will be achieved by means of frontal lessons, watching scientific videos and reading advanced bibliographic material (reviews, examples of patents, etc.).
They could apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to biomaterials.
At the end of the course, with the knowledge acquired, the student, together with other professionals such as doctors, biologists and engineers, will be able to propose and develop ideas for the design of a new biomedical device.
The ability to communicate what has been learned clearly, fully and rationally motivating what is reported, will be evaluated through an oral exam.
At the end of the course the student will have acquired the ability to continue the study in a highly autonomous way on any topic, even advanced, which concern biomaterials and biopolymers.

Programme

1 CFU
1 CFU
Biomaterials: definition. main properties: biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties.
Organism reaction to a biomaterial: opsonization, acute and chronic inflammation, foreign body giant cells, fibrous capsule.
1 CFU
Nanoparticles-organism interaction: RES, endocytosis, role of spleen, liver and kidney. regenerative.
Main biomaterials: metals, ceramics, polymers, composites.
Metals and alloys: mechanical and thermal properties, corrosion. Metals and alloys in biomedicine: steel, Co-Cr alloys, Ti alloys, Platinum, Nickel alloys (SMA).
Ceramics: basic properties, inertia, bioresorbability, biomedical applications. Alumina, zirconia, carbon, calcium phosphates and hydroxyapatite, bioglasses.
1 CFU
Polymers: polyethylene, polyurethanes, polyesters (PLA, PGA, PLGA, PCL, PHV, PHB), PEG.
0.5 CFU
Classes of biopolymers and their role in nature.
Polypeptides: collagen/gelatin, silk, elastin.
1.5 CFU
Nanoparticles in biomedicine. Metal nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles: sintesis, physico-chemical properties, applications. Liosomes. Phospholipids, structures, preparation, commercial applications. Polymric nanoparticles. Olymer structure control: architecture, molecular weight, polydispersity. Living polymerizaton.
1 CFU
Structure of carbohydrates, functional groups. Oligosaccharides. Cyclodextrins.
Polysaccharides. Principles of size/conformation relationships with viscosimetric and rheological properties. Starch, cellulose, polysaccharide gums, pectins, alginates, carrageenan, agar, glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid, heparin), Chitin and Chitosan, microbial Polysaccharides: pullulan, dextran, gellan, xanthan, succinoglycan scleroglucan.

Adopted texts

-Biomaterials Science - An Introduction to Materials in Medicine (Third Edition) Ed. B. D. Ratner, A. S. Hoffman, F. J. Schoen, J. E. Lemons, Academic Press 2013 .
-Biopolymers, Volumes 5 and 6 (Polysaccharides I and II). Wiley VCH
-Handbook of hydrocolloids, Ed. G. O. Phillips and P. A. Williams, CRC Press.
-Lecture handouts and scientific papers/reviews.

Exam modes

Oral exam