Introduction to Tissue Engineering

Tissue Engineering is a rapidly expanding field of applied biology and biomedical engineering that aims to create artificial organs for transplantation, basic research, or drug development. A fascinating aspect of the field is the fundamental need to integrate knowledge of organic chemistry, cell biology, genetics, mechanics and transport processes to create functional organs. The process uncovers the fascinating complexity of living tissues, and the joy of creation.  

This course will review basic cell culture techniques, structure function relationships, cellular communication, natural and artificial biomaterials, and the basic equations governing cell survival and tissue organization. 

Week One: Introduction. definitions, basic principles, structure-function relationships

Week Two: Biomaterials. metals, ceramics, polymers (synthetic and natural). Biodegradable materials, native matrix

Week Three: Tissue culture basics: primary cells vs. cell lines, sterile techniques, plastics, enzymes, reactors and cryopreservation

Week Four: Oxygen transport. diffusion, Michalies-Menten kinetics, oxygen uptake rates, limits of diffusion

Week Five: Principals of self assembly. cell migration, 3D organization and angiogenesis

Week Six: Skin tissue engineering. introduction, scar vs. regeneration, split skin graft, apligraf

Week Seven: Cardiovascular tissue engineering. introduction, blood vessels structure, vascular grafts

Week Eight: Liver tissue engineering. bioartificial liver (BAL) assist device, shear forces , oxygen transport, plasma effects  

Week Nine: Liver tissue engineering. self-assembled organoids, decelluarized whole livers

Week Ten: Stem cells. basic principles, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells