Biomaterials

Full course description

What makes a material a biomaterial? The overall objective of the course Biomaterials is for the student to gain insight in the role that materials can play in solving biomedical problems. Relevant questions in this context are: which requirements make a material suitable for a specific biomedical application? Which biomedical problem is to be solved, and which material offers the best solution? What manufacturing techniques should be considered? A logical framework will be introduced to help navigate the selection criteria to match an application with a possible biomaterial solution.

A biomaterial is defined as “any substance or combination of substances, other than drugs, synthetic or natural in origin, which can be used for any period of time, which augments or replaces partially or totally any tissue, organ or function of the body, in order to maintain or improve the quality of life of the individual”. In this course, the exact structure and physico-chemical characteristics of various biomaterials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) will be explained. For instance, the composition, degradation behavior and mechanical properties are important parameters. The working principles of the processing techniques commonly used to modify a raw biomaterial to develop a clinical product will be explained. The techniques that are used to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of biomaterials are, consequently, an important subject. Furthermore, the interactions between different biomaterials and the biological environment (cells, extracellular matrix, tissues, organs) will be studied. The concepts of biocompatibility, bioinertness and bioactivity will be introduced, as well as various methods used to determine the biological response to a biomaterial. The translational pathway will be explained highlighting the complex implementation necessary to bring a biomaterial medical product to the clinic.