Biomaterials: Practical Course

Abstract

The course is dedicated to introduce MAS students from Medical Physics with specialization in Biomaterials into recent topics and techniques used in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and molecular Medicine. The idea is to extend their theoretical knowledge with a `hands on' lab course to allow deeper insights into today's approaches in biomaterials design and characterization.

Objective

This 2-weeks practical class offers the possibility to enjoy a variety of research areas in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and molecular Medicine. It gives insight into research concepts and techniques that are discussed thoroughly as the class is performed embedded into current research projects. The aim of the class is to enable MAS graduate students from Medical Physics to perform their own `mini-project' and to learn about it in a problem-oriented manner. Moreover, the participants are encouraged to discuss topics and techniques. This is particularly important as MAS-students from Medical physics have very different backgrounds ranging from `Medicine to Informatics' and profit a lot from the interdisciplinarity of this practical class.

Content

This class is dedicated to MAS-students from Medical Physics with specialization in Biomaterials. The students will perform their own mini-project under supervision and need to develop their own ideas to solve the problems. The topics are embedded in ongoing projects and center on very important issues such as: 2D versus 3D environments for cells, hydrogels, nanoparticles, surface modification with biological guidance cues, drug release studies etc. They will test material surfaces for biocompatibility and cell proliferation, learn how to culture different cell types, study different analysis techniques for proteins, polymers on surface or in solution, staining procedures and microscopic techniques. The aim of the class is to provide `hands on techniques' for initial biomaterials characterization. The participants will summarize their results in a short protocol and will present their results in a small poster session at the end of the practical class.

Resources