Duration
20h Th, 5h Pr, 15h Proj.
Number of credits
| Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering | 3 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit 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 learning unit
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?
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Timing of the course is fixed in consultation with the students. Exceptionnally, the cours can be taught twice (once each semester). The course starts mid October (first semester) or beginning of March (second semester). The exact dates and place will be confirmed later on in agreement with the enrolled students.
Contacts
Liesbet Geris
tel: 04 366 95 87
liesbet.geris@ulg.ac.be
Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session
Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning
The lab visit has been cancelled. All sessions will take place via prerecorded classes, followed by a Q&A via Lifesize.
Assessment subjects
Assessment methods
All presentations will take place via Lifesize. The JC presentation will be attended by everyone. The project presentation will take place individually, to be planned in the last week of the exam period.