ME 6794: Tissue Engineering

Credit Hours: 3-0-3
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor, graduate standing.
Catalog Description: Biological, engineering, and medical issues in developing tissue engineered constructs. Emphasis is given on the integration of these disciplines at a basic molecular and cell biology level. Crosslisted with BMED and CHE 6794.
Textbook: Notes will be provided.

 

Syllabus

Introduction

1. Historical perspective of tissue engineering; industry and products

Cell Technology

2. Cells as a core functional element of a bioartificial construct; required cell function in constructs; sources of cells for tissue engineering applications
3. Influences of cell function: culturing mode, chemical environment
4. Influences of cell function: extracellular matrix, mechanical environment; structure/function relationships
5. Cell procurement of auto-, allo-, and xenogeneic cells; genetic engineering of cells for tissue engineering applications; cell amplification in culture; stem cells

Biomaterials Technology

6. Biomaterials in tissue engineering: definitions; functional requirements of biomaterials in tissue engineering applications
7. Polymeric materials in tissue engineering; modifications for eliciting specific cellular/tissue responses
8. Biomimetic materials; biological substrates

Bioartificial Construct Technology

9. Introduction; design considerations; three-dimensional structure; multi-cellular systems
10. Diffusion-based and vascularized constructs; transport of nutrients and metabolites
11. Immunoacceptance of transplanted cells: immunocompatibility, immunomodulation, immunoisolation
12. Scale up of manufacturing processes
13. Preservation of tissue engineered constructs
14. Regulation of tissue-engineered products by FDA
15. Methodology of pre-clinical trials; safety, efficacy, clinical end-points
17. Integration of constructs into living systems; interface/connection with surrounding tissue; chronic adaptation/remodeling in vivo

Products in the Early Stages of Development: Critical Issues Being Faced

18. Cartilage tissue engineering
19. Bone tissue engineering: materials, architecture, and mechanical properties; repair and remodeling; cells and growth factors
20. Cardiovascular substitutes
21. Neural tissue engineering: synthetic guidance systems; neurotrophic molecules; functionalized three-dimensional gels; schwann cell seeding

Products Now Approaching the Market Place: Lessons for the Next Generation of Products

22. Skin substitutes
23. Encapsulated cell therapies

Evaluation:There is a midterm exam and a term project, involving both a written report and an oral presentation.

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