[Translation missing: page.coursepage.titleprefix] Tissue engineering

• Describe the principles of tissue engineering
• Describe clinical applications of tissue engineered products in regenerative medicine
• Define the importance of scaffold materials in tissue engineering with focus on surface-, mechanical- and biological properties
• Describe different scaffold materials and define in what applications these materials can be applied
• Describe several scaffold fabrication techniques such as electrospinning and solvent casting/particulate leaching
• Describe different biofabrication methods of tissue with focus on additive manufacturing, and particularly, the 3D Bioprinting technology
• Describe the early events that occur in tissue development, from the first division in the egg to the migration of cells to form the different germ layers
• Describe the formation of different organs due to gene regulations and cell signaling
• Describe the equipment used in cell culturing laboratory
• Describe the basic components of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and its importance in tissue engineering
• Describe the signaling process between cells and cell-ECM and its potential outcomes on cellular fate
• Define the importance of bioreactors in tissue engineering
• In theory, design a bioreactor and put emphasis on its requirements for cultivation of tissue engineered products
• Define the ethical and regulatory aspects of tissue engineering in clinical applications
• Develop a project within the field of tissue engineering which seeks to solve unmet clinical needs

The following topics will be covered: Introduction Cell biology, the basis of growth and differentiation, growth factors, In vitro and in vivo control of tissue development, polymer scaffolds and biofabrication techniques, stem cells and their differentiation, bioreactors, ethical and regulatory aspects of tissue engineering, translation to clinic.

The course consists of lectures, seminars, laboratory- and project work. Laboratory work will include an introduction to sterile technique, cell seeding laboratory and tissue biofabrication. In the group projects, students will prepare grant proposals for tissue engineering of selected tissue/organs for unmet clinical needs. The written proposal will be submitted and presented orally.

Tissue engineering; Clemens van Blitterswijk, Jan De Boer, 2:nd edition Academic Press 2014

Laboratory exercises, project report and project presentation. Individual active participation is required in all group work. Grading will reflect the level of achievement of the whole group, with individual adjustment of grades from the group grade applied when relevant.