| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers |
|---|
| 376-1392-00L | Mechanobiology: Implications for Development, Regeneration and Tissue Engineering | 3 credits | 2G | A. Ferrari,
K. Würtz-Kozak,
M. Zenobi-Wong |
| Abstract | This course will emphasize the importance of mechanobiology to cell determination and behavior. Its importance to regenerative medicine and tissue engineering will also be addressed. Finally, this course will discuss how age and disease adversely alter major mechanosensitive developmental programs. |
| Objective | This course is designed to illuminate the importance of mechanobiological processes to life as well as to teach good experimental strategies to investigate mechanobiological phenomena. |
| Content | Typically, cell differentiation is studied under static conditions (cells grown on rigid plastic tissue culture dishes in two-dimensions), an experimental approach that, while simplifying the requirements considerably, is short-sighted in scope. It is becoming increasingly apparent that many tissues modulate their developmental programs to specifically match the mechanical stresses that they will encounter in later life. Examples of known mechanosensitive developmental programs include osteogenesis (bones), chondrogenesis (cartilage), and tendogenesis (tendons). Furthermore, general forms of cell behavior such as migration, extracellular matrix deposition, and complex tissue differentiation are also regulated by mechanical stimuli. Mechanically-regulated cellular processes are thus ubiquitous, ongoing and of great clinical importance.
The overall importance of mechanobiology to humankind is illustrated by the fact that nearly 80% of our entire body mass arises from tissues originating from mechanosensitive developmental programs, principally bones and muscles. Unfortunately, our ability to regenerate mechanosensitive tissue diminishes in later life. As it is estimated that the fraction of the western world population over 65 years of age will double in the next 25 years, an urgency in the global biomedical arena exists to better understand how to optimize complex tissue development under physiologically-relevant mechanical environments for purposes of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. |
| Lecture notes | n/a |
| Literature | Topical Scientific Manuscripts |
| 376-1624-00L | Practical Methods in Biofabrication  Number of participants limited to 12. | 5 credits | 4P | M. Zenobi-Wong,
S. Schürle-Finke,
K. Würtz-Kozak |
| Abstract | Biofabrication involves the assembly of materials, cells, and biological building blocks into grafts for tissue engineering and in vitro models. The student learns techniques involving the fabrication and characterization of tissue engineered scaffolds and the design of 3D models based on medical imaging data. They apply this knowledge to design, manufacture and evaluate a biofabricated graft. |
| Objective | The objective of this course is to give students hands-on experience with the tools required to fabricate tissue engineered grafts. During the first part of this course, students will gain practical knowledge in hydrogel synthesis and characterization, fuse deposition modelling and stereolithography, bioprinting and bioink design, electrospinning, and cell culture and viability testing. They will also learn the properties of common biocompatible materials used in fabrication and how to select materials based on the application requirements. The students learn principles for design of 3D models. Finally the students will apply their knowledge to a problem-based project. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | Not recommended if passed 376-1622-00 Practical Methods in Tissue Engineering |
| 376-1974-00L | Colloquium in Biomechanics  | 2 credits | 2K | B. Helgason,
S. J. Ferguson,
R. Müller,
J. G. Snedeker,
B. Taylor,
K. Würtz-Kozak,
M. Zenobi-Wong |
| Abstract | Current topics in biomechanics presented by speakers from academia and industry. |
| Objective | Getting insight into actual areas and problems of biomechanics. |
