Artificial biointerfaces

Course Code: BM723E

Institution:

Biomedical Science

Revision:

1

For students admitted spring 2014   spring 2013  

Approval

The course was established 22 November 2006.
This course syllabus (version 1) was approved 15 March 2012 by the Faculty Board of Health and Society .
The syllabus is valid from 18 January 2013.

Education level

Second cycle

Course description

The scope of this course is to give the theoretical background and practical experience required to explain the role of surfaces in living systems, and to create, control and measure surface chemical properties of biological and artificial interfaces.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course is given in the second semester of the Master Programme Biomedical Methods and Technology. The course can also be taken as a freestanding course.

Entry requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree (180 hp) or equivalent with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, biomedical methods and technology, biomedical laboratory science or in other areas of natural, medical, engineering sciences or technology with a minimum of 15 hp in chemistry and/or biochemistry as well as knowledge matching the learning outcomes of the curses BM611E, BM612E or BM613E.
2.The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to
- explain the role of surfaces in living systems, including problems of biocompatibility,
- apply relevant methods for characterising surface chemical and biological properties of biological and artificial interfaces,
- explain theoretical relationships forming the basis of methods used in surface and colloidal chemistry in relation to biological and artificial interfaces,
- compare methods and technologies used for creating or studying biointerfaces,
- create artificial biointerfaces used in research, development and applications, and
- modify surface chemical properties of artificial interfaces.

Assessments

To pass the following is required: approved project reports, project presentations and examination.

The course content is graded as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Very Good
C - Good
D - Satisfactory
E - Pass
U - Fail

Examination Re-sits

Students who fail examinations have two further opportunities to retakes. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to retake these examinations during the course to avoid subsequent interruption to follow on courses. If the course ceases or goes through major changes, students retain the right to two retake within one year based on the original course content. Examinations and retakes are scheduled throughout the course timetable.

Course content

The course is on advanced level and conducted in project form with couplings to frontline research and surrounding industry. The course is based on applied problems and covers surface chemical techniques for studying phenomena related to biological and artificial interfaces. Biocompatibility problems are covered aiming to explain the rational for modifying or creating specific properties of artificial biointerfaces. A large number of surface chemical methods for characterising air/liquid, liquid/liquid and solid surfaces are described. Contact angle measurements, drop-volume techniques, light scattering, zeta potential, elipsometry, atomic force microscopy, membrane permeability and electrochemistry constitute the core of the methods discussed thoroughly during the course. Measurements of biological activity at interfaces are performed in projects focusing on immunoanalysis, measurements of enzyme activity, development of biosensors, measurements of cell migration and wound healing. The course will finish with a project report and an oral presentation of the obtained results.

Learning activities

Problem based learning forms and principles of active learning, critical thinking and problem solving are central to the course, which also includes literature studies, lectures and seminars. Web based forms of reporting are used.

Grading system

A,B,C,D,E,U.

Reading list and other media

Baszkin, A., Norde, W. (2000) Physical Chemistry of Biological Interfaces. N.Y.: Marcel Dekker, Inc., pp. 840.

Norde, W. (2003) Colloids and Interfaces in Life Science. N.Y: Marcel Dekker, pp. 433.

Scientific publications will be added.

Course evaluation

A comprehensive course evaluation is carried out at the end of the course. The students are asked to evaluate the quality of the course based on the learning outcomes and how these have been realised. The course coordinator reports the results of the evaluation to the students at a pre-announced occasion. The minutes of the meeting will be made available on the course website.