Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Laboratory Biology Materials and Biomaterials

• code 13563
• course 3
• term Semester 1
• type OB
• credits 6

Module: ADVANCED TRAINING

Matter: MATERIALS III

Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Head instructor

Dra. Jenifer OLMOS - jolmos@uic.es

Office hours

Mondays 10am-12pm

Thursdays 14-16pm

The use of biologic materials and biomaterials in the field of bioengineering has become a useful tool for the regeneration and/or functional repair of tissues. Therefore, the design and synthesis of biomaterials as well as their characterization are of importance when obtaining certain properties needed for their application in order to favor those regenerative processes and so, reestablish tissue functionality.  

The student must have successfully passed the Biomaterials and Biocompatibility subject (2nd semester)

• Design biomaterials based on target tissue and perform basic operations
• Develop biomaterials through the most significant techniques
• Characterize the properties of these biomaterials
• Graph and analyze the results
• Write laboratory reports
• Presentation of subject and discuss about results with other students

• CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
• CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
• CB5 - Students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
• CE6 - To incorporate the foundations of science and materials technology, while taking into account the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or process and the properties of materials.
• CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
• CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
• CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.

• Appropriately apply the learning about the different techniques for biomaterials synthesis
• Appropriately apply the learning about the existing methods for sterilization and disinfection of biomaterials, as well as preventing their contamination using sterile handling techniques
• Ability to perform calculations and formulations for the synthesis of biomaterials
• Know basic techniques for the characterization of biomaterials and analyze their properties
• Ability to plot the data into graphs or tables through basic software programs as well as writing laboratory scientific reports
• Interpret and reason the obtained results, and perform a presentation for an open group discussion
• Know and implement the mode and dynamics of teamwork
• Ability to work in a laboratory and to elaborate scientific reports

1. Basic biomaterial laboratory techniques
2. Sterilization and disinfection techniques for biomaterials and work in sterile conditions
3. Protein and polysaccharides extraction and purification
4. Particles
5. Films
6. Cements
7. Hydrogels
8. Injectable materials and 3D printing
9. Scaffolds and sponges
10. Composites
11. Membranes
12. Surface treatments

The subject will be divided by topics that could include one or several sessions in relation to the different biomaterials of study. Each session will consist of a previous theoretical explanation, an experimental part, analysis of the results and a group discussion.

During the sessions, students will work on a laboratory notebook where they will write down calculations, data and notes needed during the laboratory session. At the end of each session, the notebook will be supervised and stamped by the teacher.

Students will also have to present their results and conclusions through slide presentations for an open group discussion.

In addition to the teamwork that will be carried out in each session, students will have to write a laboratory report and hand it to the teacher for the motivation of their autonomous learning. Eventually, the teacher could use the Moodle platform that could include various resources, such as forms, exercises, multimedia material ... that the student must perform to complete the subject.

Classes will be taught in English, although students' questions will be answered in the language of their choice (Spanish, Catalan or English). The teaching material will be presented mainly in English, with some exceptions (graphs, tables ...)

Students may use calculator and formulary file during exams. The formulary file may only contain formulas, not explanations.

The list of ECTS credits and the workload in learning hours depending on the different methodologies that will be used. Each ECTS theoretical credit has 10 hours in which the teacher has a presence in the classroom. The rest of the hours up to 25 correspond to the load of directed and autonomous learning of the student. This last teaching load can be done through autonomous activities, group work that will be presented and defended in class or individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects.

First call exam:

1. Laboratory report (35%)
2. Laboratory notebook (30%)
3. Participation/presentation (20%)
4. Final exam (15%)

Second call exam: same criteria as first call but with no distinction with honor.

Important considerations

1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, in exams it will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
2. Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
3. Attendance must be 100% to pass the subject.

Johnna S. Temenoff & Antonios G. Mikos. Biomaterials: The intersection of Biology and Materials Science. Pearson, 2009

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

• E1 10/01/2020 12:00h A05