Fundamentals of Biomaterials

This course will provide an introduction to materials used in biomedical applications. It will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental principles and language associated with current biomaterials research and to understand the issues associated with medical applications of these materials. The goal is to enable students in the course to read the biomaterials literature with critical understanding. The course will introduce principles of materials science and cell biology underlying the design of medical implants, artificial organs, and matrices for tissue engineering and covers surface chemistry and physics of selected biomaterials, surface characterization methodology, acute and chronic response to implanted biomaterials, and molecular and cellular interactions.