Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Biology Materials and Biomaterials Laboratory

• 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

Please send an email to set up a meeting

Jenifer Olmos: jolmos@uic.es

The use of biological materials and biomaterials in the field of Bioengineering has proven to be an effective tool for the regeneration and/or functional repair of tissues. As a result, the design and fabrication of biomaterials and their characterisation are extremely important when it comes to obtaining certain properties that facilitate these regenerative processes and, thus, restore tissue functionality.   

Students must have successfully completed the subject Biomaterials and Biocompatibility (2nd semester)

• To design biomaterials based on the target tissue and perform basic operations
• To develop biomaterials using the most relevant techniques
• To characterise the properties of these biomaterials
• To graph and analyse the results
• To draw up laboratory reports
• In-class presentations and discussion of the results

• 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.
• CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within 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.
• CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• CB5 - Students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
• CE1 - To solve the maths problems that arise in the field of Bioengineering. The ability to apply knowledge of geometry, calculate integrals, use numerical methods and achieve optimisation.
• CE15 - The ability to undertake a project through the use of data sources, the application of methodologies, research techniques and tools specific to Bioengineering, give a presentation and publicly defend it to a specialist audience in a way that demonstrates the acquisition of the competences and knowledge that are specific to this degree programme.
• CE16 - To apply specific Bioengineering terminology both verbally and in writing in a foreign language.
• CE17 - To be able to identify the engineering concepts that can be applied in the fields of biology and health.
• CE21 - The ability to understand and apply biotechnological methodologies and tools to research, as well as to the development and production of products and services.
• 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.
• CG5 - To undertake calculations, valuations, appraisals, expert reports, studies, reports, work plans and other similar tasks.
• CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
• 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.
• CT7 - To be fluent in a third language, usually English, with a suitable verbal and written level that is in line with graduate requirements.

• To become familiar with and implement the various biomaterial production techniques
• To become familiar with and implement the existing methods for sterilising and disinfecting biomaterials, and prevent contamination by using sterile handling techniques
• To be able to perform calculations and formulations for biomaterial synthesis
• To become familiar with the basic biomaterial characterisation techniques and analyse their properties
• To be able to graph and interpret results using software and draw up laboratory reports 
• To be able to interpret and reason the results and present and defend arguments in a group discussion
• To be able to work as a team
• To be able to work in a scientific laboratory and prepare scientific reports on specific topics 

1. Protein extraction and purification
2. Films
3. Particles
4. Cements
5. Hydrogels
6. Scaffolds
7. Surface modification
8. Injectable materials

The subject will be divided into different topics, each of which may include one or more sessions on the various biomaterials. Each session will be comprised of a theoretical explanation, an experimental part, analysis of the results and group discussion. 

During the sessions, the students will record their work in a laboratory notebook, in which they will write down any calculations, data or notes needed for the laboratory session. At the end of each session, the notebook will be checked and stamped by the instructor. 

Students will present their results and conclusions in the form of a slide presentation and discuss the topic as a group.

In addition to working as a team in each session, the students will be required to hand in a laboratory report to the instructor, thus encouraging autonomous learning. At some point, the instructor may also use the Moodle platform, which may include resources such as forms, exercises, multimedia material, etc., which the students must complete in order to pass the subject.

The classes will be taught in English, although the students’ questions will be answered in the language of their choice (Spanish, Catalan or English). The students may also choose to complete the exercises, coursework and exams in any of these languages. The teaching material will be presented mainly in English, with some exceptions (graphs, tables...)

Students may use a calculator and formulary file when taking the exams. The formulary file may only contain formulas, not explanations.

The number of ECTS credits and workload in learning hours based on the various methodologies that will be used. Each theoretical ECTS credit consists of 10 hours of on-site teaching. The remaining hours (up to 25) correspond to the students’ guided and autonomous learning, which may involve autonomous activities, group work, which will subsequently be presented and defended in class, or the individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects.

The student will have to bring a laboratory notebook, lab coat and safety glasses by laboratory.

First-sitting exam:

1. Laboratory reports (25%)(*)
2. Laboratory notebook (25%)(*)
3. Presentation (15%)*
4. Final exam (35%)

A minimal mark of 5.0 should be obtained in the final exam in order to be taken for the calculation of the course average. The no realization of assignments will imply the failure of the subject (*). 

The subject will be passed with a minimum mark of 5.0 in the total score grade.

The same evaluation criteria will be applied in the second-sitting  exam, but without the opportunity to earn a distinction.

Being late for more than 10 min at the start of the class or coming late after the break for more 10% of total classes will lead to 0.5 points reduction in the final grade. The same criteria will be applied for unjustified absence.

Attendance is mandatory 90% to pass the subject

Important considerations

1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will earn the student a mark of zero on that part of the assessment. Students who do so on an exam will immediately fail the subject.
2. No changes to the calendar, exam dates or assessment system will be accepted. Exchange students (Erasmus or others) and repeaters will be subject to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
3. Students must attend at least 90% of the classes 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 14/01/2021 10:00h P2A03
• E2 18/06/2021 10:00h P2A03