Courses

BMEN 323/723 - Biomaterials

Prerequisites: BMEN 260, BMEN 243, and BMEN 312; or permission of instructor

Biomedical materials are non-viable materials intended to interact with human fluids, cells, tissues, or organs. This course will serve as an introduction to this diverse and multidisciplinary field by addressing materials science and biological principles that impact the engineering design of biomaterials. Topics addressed will include the physical and chemical properties of biomaterials and the biological events associated with responses to such materials. Supplemental laboratory exercises will be utilized to illustrate selected concepts and introduce procedures used to evaluate biomaterials.

BMEN 340/740 - Cell and Tissue Engineering

Prerequisites: BMEN 260

This course addresses the complex interactions between living tissues, implant biomaterials, and the extracellular microenvironment, stressing the importance of cellular- and molecular-level phenomena in macroscopic, tissue-level events. After taking this course, students will be able to explain the roles of cells/tissues and biomaterials in coagulation and fibrinolysis, inflammation, wound healing, hypersensitivity and foreign-body responses, and carcinogenesis. In this class, students will also be exposed to current technologies of cell and molecular biology used to control the behavior of living cells and tissues. Current cell and tissue engineering research topics will be incorporated into class discussions and laboratory projects.

BMEN 626 - Molecular Principles of Functional Biomaterials

Prerequisites: BMEN 323/723, or permission of instructor

Functional biomaterials are non-viable materials which have been designed or modified in order to elicit specific biological responses when interacting with biological fluids, cells, tissues, or organs. This course will focus on chemical principles utilized in endowing polymeric materials with biological functionality for medical applications. Following a brief review of polymer properties with a focus on hydrogels, topics addressed will include attachment of proteins to materials, induction of cell-binding and differentiation, responsive polymers, and spatial and temporal control of material properties for biological signaling. Unifying concepts will be introduced by directed reading and discussion of landmark papers in the biomaterials literature. Supplemental laboratory exercises will be utilized to illustrate selected concepts and introduce experimental procedures.

NSCI 331/631 - Cellular Neuroscience

Prerequisite: CELL 101 or equivalent

In-depth coverage of the basic principles of cellular neuroscience, including the biophysical basis of the membrane potential, action potential generation and propagation, and synaptic signaling. Students also will be introduced to the synaptic organization of higher neural systems, such as the visual, auditory and somatic sensory systems. Same as CELL 331/631.

NSCI 635 - Developmental Neurobiology

Prerequisites: NSCI 331/631, or permission of instructor

A broad overview of the different stages of neural development. Examination of the molecular aspects of developmental neurobiology, with reference to some important signaling pathways involved in neural growth and specification. Particular attention will be given to those active research fields, such as growth cone guidance and collapse and activity-dependent development, and applications of these to injury and disease. Same as CELL 435/635.