Objectives and competences
The Curricular Unit of Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication presents advanced concepts on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine that allows to understand all the inter- and multidisciplinary aspects involved in the repair, regeneration and/or replacement of biological tissues and/or human organs. Students will be able to distinguish the possible cellular sources to be used depending on their potential for differentiation and expansion and the various approaches in different applications in tissue engineering. Students are expected to recognize the potential of bioprinting technologies in the development of in vitro 3D models of human tissues/organs and organoids and be able to apply this technology in specific contexts. They must also be able to recognize the technical, ethical and regulatory challenges in the area of biomanufacturing as well as the potential for future developments.
Teaching Methodologies
The curricular unit is organized into 6 hours of theory, 6 hours of tutorial guidance, 3 hours of seminars and 15 hours of laboratory work. Throughout the T classes, the contents are transmitted through expository and interrogative methodologies, allowing the active participation of the students. As a teaching aid, multimedia projection (slides/videos) is used. In tutorial guidance and in laboratory classes, active methodologies are used.
Syllabus
In accordance with the proposed objectives, the discipline of Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication is organized into four thematic sections:
1. Introduction: the concept of tissue engineering
1.1 Repair versus regeneration: paradigm shift
1.2 Cellular and acellular approaches
2. Stem cells and regenerative medicine
2.1. Cell biology, proliferation and differentiation
2.2. morphogenesis
2.3. Introduction to stem cell isolation and culture
2.5. In vitro conditioning of tissue development
2.6. Methods to assess cell viability, proliferation and differentiation
3. Bioprinting
3.1. Biomaterials and criteria for the design of “bioinks”
3.2. bioprinting technologies
3.3. Process parameters that affect bioprinting
3.4. Methods for evaluating extrusion, print fidelity and accuracy
3.5. In vitro 3D models of human tissues/organs and organoids
3.6. Translational applications and future challenges
Laboratory Classes Program
1. Preparation of a “bioink” and its rheological characterization
2. Processing of a scaffold using bioprinting
3. Culturing stem cells in a 3D bioprinted structure
4. Assessment of cell viability, proliferation and differentiation
