Learning objectives
The integrated course will provide the main knowledge on osteochondrogenesis and on the biomaterials used for bone and cartilage regeneration and repair. Knowledge on biomaterials applied in general surgery, vascular surgery, surgical hemostasis and ocular surgery will be also provided.
Course unit content
Osteochondrogenesis (Module A)
Lecturer: Prof. Paolo Borghetti (VET/03)
(CFU: 1 CFU lesson (8 hours) + 1 CFU praticals (8 hours)
Theory:
Anatomy , histology and biomechanics of articular joints. Structure, biology and metabolism of the articular cartilage.
Physiopathology of the tissue cartilage metabolism. The molecular basis of chondrocyte differentiaiton and chondrogenesis. Biomaterials for cartilage reparing
Practicals:
Isolation of chondrocytes from articular cartilage tissue.
Adhesion and tridimensional models of primary chondrocyte culture.
Tecnique for the maintainance of the differentiation of articular chondrocytes in culture.
Dott. Antonio Cacchioli (3 CFU)Osteochondrogenesis (Mod.B)
Theoretical training (12 hours of lessons):
Locomotor system: classification of bones and principles of biomechanic
Osteology:
- Forms of bony tissue
- Histogenesis
- Morphological and structural characteristics
- Deposition and remodeling dinamics
Definition and classification of biomaterials employed in orthopaedic and dental field
Experimental protocols for evaluation of osteointegration
Notions of legislation on animal experimentation
Methods for the osteintegration evaluation: bone vital markers, polarized light microscopy analysis, histochemical and immunohistochemical reactions, histological stains.
Practical training (12 hours):
The practical activity will focused on:
- Histological techniques for processing undecalcified bone tissue with implants
- Histolgical stains, Histochemical and Immunohistochemical reactions
- Observation of histological sections by polarizing light and fluorescence optical microscope
- Digitalization and image analysis.
Osteochondrogenesis (Module C)
Lecturer: Prof. Filippo Maria Martini (VET/09: 2 CFU)
• Experimental protocols for the in vivo biointegration evaluation of materials to be used in the orthopedic and maxillo-facial field.
• Concepts of animal experimentation legislation.
• Choice criteria of experimental animal.
• Definition and classification of biomaterials: metals and metal alloys, ceramics, thermoplastic and thermohardening polymers, composites, biodegradable and bioactive materials.
• Materials in the orthopedic and maxillo-facial field (steel, titan, PDLLA, covering materials, cements).
• Clinical use of biomaterials. Orthopedics: articular prosthesis, bone cement, ligament substitution, internal and external fracture fixation.
• Biomaterial functionality monitoring after implants. Periprosthetic infection. Orthopedic prosthesis mobilization.
• European legislation on medical devices.
Medical devices for advanced therapy
Lecturer: Prof. Ruggero Bettini (1 CFU/16 hours of classrooom lectures)
Natural and synthetic polymers for biomedical use.
Tridimensional polymeric scaffolds.
Chemical modification of polymers.
Solid-state manipulation.
Physico-chemical characterisation polymeric films:
hydrophilicity (contact angle, swelling index);
mechanical characteristics (elastic module, elongation to break, deformability);
porosity of tridimensional structures;
surface characteristics (roughness) by microscopy;
chemical composition of the surface.
Polymeric scaffolds as drug delivery systems.
Lecturer:
a) Dott. Luigi Bonati (MED/18 1 CFU: 8 ore)
Biomaterials in general surgery, vascular surgery and surgical hemostasis
Topic:
Prostheses biocompatible in addominal wall surgical repair, in incisional hernias, and in addominal hernias repair.
Vasculars prostheses and patches in vascular surgery.
Hamostatic medications in abdominal, vascular, and thoracic surgery.
Dott. Claudio Macaluso (MED/30: 1 CFU: 8 ore)
Programm.
• Intraocular lenses (IOLs): optical, biological and surgical requirements in designing substitutes of the natural crystalline lens.
• Corneal implants and artificial cornea.
• Setons and other implants for the therapy of glaucoma.
• Sub- and pre-retinal prosthesis: optoelectronics to restore visual transduction and reverse blindness.
• Vitreal substitutes.
• “External” prostheses: contact lenses and cosmetic shells.
Bibliography
Scientific reviews, teaching materials and lab protocosl provided during lessons
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures (68 hours) and practical activity (20 hours)
