Learning objectives
The main goal of the course is the understanding of the chemistry and physics of natural and sinthetic polymers used in tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Prerequisites
General knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry are required
Course unit content
Chemistry of natural and synthetic polymers used in biomedical applications, in particular for the production of tridimensional biocompatible systems.
The course provides also theoretical knowledge on drug release mechanisms of biologically active substances from polymeric matrices.
Full programme
• Polymer definition and classification.
• Linear and crosslinked polymers, method of polymerisation and crosslinking.
• Polymer molecular weight and its determination.
• Solid state of polymers, crystalline and amorphous structure.
• Glassy and rubbery state, transition temperature.
• Polymers in solution.
• Natural and synthetic polymers used in biomedicine.
• Tridimensional structure of polymeric scaffolds.
• Chemical modification of polymers.
• Solid state manipulation.
• Physico-chemical characterisation of tridimesional polymeric structures, and films.
• Polymeric scaffolds as drug delivery systems.
• Drug release kinetics from matrix systems.
Bibliography
A. Martin, Physical Pharmacy, Fourth Edition, Lea & Febiger 1993
Bibliographic material will be distributed during the course
Teaching methods
The course will be carried out through frontal lessons in which the fundamentals of polymer chemistry will be presented and discussed, as well as well as the solid state chemistry and the behaviour in solution.
In the second part of the course the concepts presented in the first one will be applied to the manipulation of the polymers, mostly of natural origin, for the preparation of hydrogels and tridimensional structures for tissue repair.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam consisting in questions aiming at verifying the comprehension of the studied topics and the competences acquired. The results will be expressed in 30th.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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