510.312 (E, N) Physical Chemistry of Materials I: Thermodynamics (3 credits)
Offered in fall semesters (2004, 2005)
This course examines the principles of thermodynamics as they apply to materials.
Topics include fundamental principles and Laws of thermodynamics, equilibrium in homogeneous
and heterogeneous systems, thermodynamics of multi-component systems, phase diagrams, and statistical thermodynamics.
Prerequisites: Calculus I and II, Freshman/sophomore chemistry and physics, or permission of instructor.
510.407/510.607 (E, N) Biomaterials II (3 credits)
Offered in spring semesters (2005, 2006, 2007)
This course focuses on the interaction of biomaterials with the biological system and
applications of biomaterials. Topics include host reactions to biomaterials and their evaluation,
cell-biomaterials interaction, biomaterials for tissue engineering applications, biomaterials for
controlled drug and gene delivery, biomaterials for cardiovascular applications, biomaterials for
orthopedic applications, and biomaterials for artificial organs. This course includes a lab component (four labs).
Prerequisites: 510.316 or permission of instructor.
510.430 (E,N,W) Biomaterials Lab (3 credits)
New course, to be offered in spring 2007
This laboratory course concentrates on synthesis, processing and characterization of materials
for biomedical applications, and characterization of cell-materials interaction. Topics include
synthesis of biodegradable polymers and degradation, electrospinning of polymer nanofibers, preparation
of polymeric microspheres and drug release, preparation of plasmid DNA, polymer-mediated gene delivery,
recombinant protein synthesis and purification, self-assembly of collagen fibril, surface functionalization
of biomaterials, cell culture techniques, polymer substrates for cell culture, and mechanical properties
of biological materials.
Prerequisites: 510.407 or permission of instructor.
510.617 / 580.617 (E, N) Advanced Topics in Biomaterials (3 credits)
Offered in fall semesters (2005)
This course reviews recent advances in biomaterials focusing on the design principles in polymeric
biomaterials. It will cover topics from molecular designs of polymeric biomaterials, materials surface
engineering, processing of polymeric scaffolds, materials for drug and gene delivery, combination
products, to manipulation of cellular behaviour through materials engineering. Specific examples of
biomaterials for cell/tissue engineering, and drug/gene delivery will be discussed.
Prerequisites: 510.606, or 510.607, or permission of instructors.
510.407 (E, N) Biological Foundations of Materials II (3 credits)
Offered in spring 2004
An introduction to the cell as the building block of living matter. Structure of cellular organelles; principles of trafficking, targeting, and cell signaling. Extracellular matrix: synthesis, structure and function.
580.451 (E, N) Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab (2 credits)
Offered in spring and fall semesters
Instructor for “Gene Delivery” Section
Cell and tissue engineering is a field that relies heavily on experimental techniques. This laboratory course will consist of three six experiments that will provide students with valuable hands-on experience in cell and tissue engineering. Students will learn basic cell culture procedures and specialized techniques related to faculty expertise in cell engineering, microfluidics, gene therapy, microfabrication and cell encapsulation. Experiments include the basics of cell culture techniques, gene transfection and metabolic engineering, basics of cell-substrate interactions I, cell-substrate interactions II, and cell encapsulation and gel contraction.
Guest Lecturing in the following courses:
510.104 (E,N,W) Introductory Lectures in Biomaterials (3 credits)
Horowitz/Mueller
Offered in spring semesters (2005, 2006)
This course provides an introductory overview of the selection and use of materials in biological systems. During the first hour of each class period, a guest lecturer will discuss his area of expertise in the field of biomaterials. The lectures are of an introductory nature suitable for the nonspecialist and are open to freshmen. Topics to be included are selected from the areas of design of special materials for use in biological systems, the use of materials in biological systems, and the study of the properties of natural biological materials. The second hour is used for open discussion with the guest lecturer and the instructor on the specific topic for the day.
580.440 (E) Cellular And Tissue Engineering (3 credits)
Elisseef / Yarema
Offered in fall semesters (2005, 2006)
Lectures provide an overview of molecular biology fundamentals, an extensivereview on extracellular matrix and basics of receptors, followed by topics on cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions at both the theoretical and experimental levels. Subsequent lectures will cover the effects of physical (shear, stress, strain), chemical (cytokins, growth factors), and electrical stimuli on cell function, emphasizing topics on gene regulation and signal transduction processes. Material on cell-cycle, apoptosis, metabolic engineering and gene therapy will also be incorporated into the course.
Stem cells: Unit of Development and Unit of Regeneration (Department of Neurosciences)
Ming / Song
Offered in spring 2005
The course is designed to give a broad view of stem cells. The topics range from pluripotent stem cells (embryonic stem cells and embryonic germ cells) to multipotent somatic stem cells (in brain, heart, blood, etc.) during development as well as in adult. It covers the basic biology of these stem cells as well as bioengineering and application of these stem cells to potential treatments of human diseases.
