Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Tissue Engineering Lab

• code 13568
• course 3
• term Semester 2
• type OB
• credits 6

Module: ADVANCED TRAINING

Matter: MEDICINE III

Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Head instructor

Dr. Miguel Angel MATEOS - mamateos@uic.es

The combination of biological materials (biomolecules and cells) and biomaterials (synthetic or natural) 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, both physical and biological, are extremely important when it comes to obtaining certain properties that facilitate these regenerative processes and, thus, restore tissue functionality.

Students are recommended to have successfully completed the subject Tissue Engineering (year 3, 1st semester).

• To become familiar with cell culture techniques

• To manufacture 3D scaffolds based on different materials

• To characterise (physically-chemically and biologically) the properties of these scaffolds

• To graph and analyse the results

• To draw up laboratory reports

• In-class presentations and discussion of the results

• To become familiar with and implement the different techniques for producing biomaterials

• To become familiar with and implement the basic cell culture methods, in both 2D and 3D

• To become familiar with the basic techniques for characterising 3D scaffolds and analysing their properties

• To be able to graph and interpret the results using software and draw up scientific 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. Basic cell culture techniques

2. Fabrication of 3D scaffolds using conventional techniques and 3D printing

3. Fabrication of cell microcarriers

4. Physical-chemical characterisation of 3D scaffolds

5. Biological characterisation of 3D scaffolds

The subject will be divided into different topics, each of which may include one or more content sessions. 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.

Assessment systems and criteria

First-sitting exam:

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

Second-sitting exam: same criteria as the first, but without the opportunity to earn a distinction.

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.

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

• E1 21/05/2021 10:00h P2A03
• E2 23/06/2021 10:00h A09