Study Programmes 2015-2016
GBIO0018-2  
Introduction to tissue engineering
Duration :
20h Th, 20h Pr
Number of credits :
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)3
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)3
Lecturer :
Liesbet Geris
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
General : Tissue Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of engineering and life sciences toward the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function or a whole. This introductory course aims to address the most important and fundamental topics - biological as well as engineering - of contemporary tissue engineering research.
Detailed content :
  • Cells: Stem cells; Morphogenesis, generation of tissue in the embryo; Tissue homeostasis; Cellular signaling
  • Scaffolds: The extracellular matrix as a biologic scaffold for tissue engineering; Natural polymers in tissue engineering applications; Degradable polymers for tissue engineering; Degradation of bioceramics; Biocompatibility
  • In the lab: Cell source; Cell culture: harvesting, selection, expansion, and differentiation; Cell nutrition; Cryobiology
  • Engineering aspects: Scaffold design and fabrication; Controlled release strategies in tissue engineering; Bioreactors for tissue engineering
  • Ethical issues in tissue engineering
Learning outcomes of the course :
This course will
  • provide students with a foundation for engineering tissues based on Nature's own design and optimization criteria.
  • stimulate the students' ability to critically review recent published work in the field
  • provide students with the necessary background and vocabulary to communicate with biomedical experts and clinicians.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
General knowledge of either engineering or biomedical principles (or both) as can be expected from master students.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
This coure is based on "ex-cathedra" lectures, practical sessions, workshops and self-study. This includes:
  • Visit to laboratory facilities
  • Guest lectures by clinicians
  • Peer-to-peer teaching
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
  • Reference textbook: Tissue Engineering (Pearson) by Bernhard O. Palsson & Sangeeta N. Bhatia, ISBN-10: 0130416967.
  • Additional reading: Tissue Engineering (Academic Press Series in Biomedical Engineering) by C. van Blitterswijk, P. Thomsen, J. Hubbell, R. Cancedda, J.D. de Bruijn, A. Lindahl, J. Sohier, D.F. Williams.
  • Detailed slides will be made available to the students via eCampus.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Students chose (after consultation with the lecturer) a contemporary research article related to an aspect of tissue engineering and will deliver a presentation to the lecturer and their fellow students in which they critically discuss this publication. The second part of the evaluation will consist of a wider discussion on a particular aspect of tissue engineering, building on the course material by means of a literature study. The students have to prepare a written report and communicate their finding to their peers by means of an oral presentation. The students will be marked on their report and their presentation in which the following aspects will be of particular importance:
  • Critical attitude with respect to the discussed article: do the students try to assess the scientific value of the proposed research
  • Thoroughness: did the students gain sufficient insight into the topic?
  • Clarity: can the students give their presentation in a comprehensive way?
The presentation will be followed by a group discussion during which the opportunity exists for the other students to ask additional questions. The way in which students are able to handle these questions is also part of the assessment.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Timing of the course is fixed in consultation with the students. Exceptionnally, the cours will be taught twice (once each semester).  the exact dates and place will be confirmed later on (contact the lecturer).
Contacts :
Liesbet Geris
tel: 04 366 95 87
liesbet.geris@ulg.ac.be