OVERVIEW

The course introduces to the student the main plants and processes for the production, characterization, and engineering of innovative tools for biomedical applications, such as biomaterials, nanoparticles, and biosensors, their structural properties, and their interaction mechanisms with molecules or whole living organisms.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge related to biomolecules, biochemistry, and cell physiology, as well as the bioengineering of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors. Specifically, the course introduces to the students the main plants and processes for the production, characterization, and engineering of innovative tools for biomedical applications, such as biomaterials, nanoparticles, and biosensors, their structural and applicative properties, and their interaction mechanisms with biological samples. The laboratory activities aim to give students hands-on experience with the plants and processes for the fabrication and characterization of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to describe in detail, after an introduction to biomolecules and cellular engineering, the plants and the processes for the production and characterization of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors. Regular attendance and active participation in the proposed educational activities (lectures and laboratory activities) and individual study will enable students to:

1) gain an in-depth understanding of the main classes of natural or synthetic molecules of interest for bioengineering applications;

2) understand the structural and functional organization at the cellular and tissue levels;

3) acquire knowledge of the plants for the fabrication of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors;

4) acquire knowledge of the fabrication processes of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors;

5) acquire knowledge of the engineering and functionalization processes of biomaterial surfaces;

6) acquire knowledge of the activities for the characterization of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors;

7) gain basic knowledge of bioreactors used in bioengineering;

8) acquire the technical language of bioengineering to communicate effectively with specialist interlocutors, depending on the specific context;

9) develop the ability to understand and solve bioengineering problems;

10) develop the ability to learn the subject matter independently, allowing for an in-depth exploration of the main topics, considering the essential need for continuous updating required by the discipline;

11) critically analyze and evaluate information from various sources.

PREREQUISITES

Students should have basic notions of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and material science technology.

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TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 20 lectures that are held in the classroom using presentations, for a total of 40 hours (4 CFU). Part of the course includes three laboratory activities in which students can actively participate, for a total of 10 hours (1 CFU). At the end of the module on biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors the related laboratory activity will be done. During the activities, case studies will be presented in which the students will need to identify the problem to be solved and propose suitable solutions. The dates of the laboratory activities will be communicated by the teacher at the beginning of the course. Attendance at classes and laboratory activities is recommended. Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison. It is necessary that working students contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to arrange specific teaching methods.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will cover the following topics:

• natural molecules (complex polysaccharides, protein structures, complex lipids, and nucleic acids) and synthetic molecules (polymers) that are applied in bioengineering;
• the structure and function of the main cellular constituents;
• the complexity of the structural and functional organization of biological tissues;
• an introduction to biosignaling;
• plants for the production of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors;
• processes for the production of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors;
• techniques for the characterization of biomaterials, nanosystems, and biosensors;
• bioreactors for biomedical applications.

The course includes three laboratory experiences that will cover the production of biomaterials using electrospinning and 3D bioprinting techniques, the production and characterization of nanosystems (nanoliposomes and polymeric nanoparticles), and the production and validation of biosensors.

The course provides the skills to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal number 3 ("Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages") of the UN 2030 Agenda.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The material presented during the classroom lectures will be provided to students through the AulaWeb portal and this will be sufficient for preparation and passing the exam. The texts listed below can serve as a valuable aid for exam preparation:

• "Introduction to bioengineering", Y.C. Fung;
• "Biomaterials and bionanotechnology", R.K. Tekade;
• "Nanostructures and nanomaterials: Synthesis, properties and applications", G. Cao and Y. Wang.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/10376/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final exam consists of an oral interview that includes a series of questions related to the entire program covered during lectures and laboratory activities.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The preparation of the students is validated by passing the exam. Student ability to critically discuss the most important plants and processes in the bioengineering sector will be evaluated. The assessment will include, in addition to the contents, presentation skills, language proficiency, and critical reasoning abilities, demonstrating not only memorization but also a mature assimilation of the concepts. Details regarding the depth of each topic covered in lectures will be provided during the course.