Develop adequate knowledge of specific requirements, open challenges, as well as the production and surface engineering technologies of materials most commonly used in orthopedics, dentistry, and drug/molecule-delivery. The developed knowledge will also be complemented with in-depth insights into the characteristics of the tissues with which the devices will interact. Acquire the necessary knowledge to understand how the surface properties of a biomaterial influence its final in vivo performance. This knowledge will be integrated with skills related to the various surface characterization techniques, with particular emphasis on developing awareness in selecting the most appropriate techniques depending on the type of material/device and the intended clinical application. Knowledge will also be developed regarding a few examples of surface modification techniques aimed at modulating the biological response of biomaterials according to the intended application. In preparation for laboratory sessions, students will acquire specific skills in certain characterization and modification techniques, as well as in the production of three-dimensional structures and the synthesis of particles for controlled molecule release. These skills will subsequently be consolidated during practical activities organized in small groups (electron microscopy, 3D printing, plasma surface modification, computed nanotomography, spray-drying). The concepts of undesired and engineered degradation will be further explored through clinical examples and will form an integral part of the acquired skill set.

The student must have a solid background in Materials Science and Technology, with particular reference to the field of Biomaterials. In particular, the following exam must have been passed: Materials Science and Technology.

• Materials for orthopedics: through selected application examples (e.g., joint prostheses and fracture fixation devices), an overview will be provided of the materials used in this field, their surface engineering and manufacturing processes, as well as the existing open challenges. • Materials for dentistry: materials for dental implants, orthodontic wires, and other materials used in this sector will be described. • Materials for the modulation of the inflammatory response: It will be illustrated how materials intended for wound healing or bone-contact applications can be engineered to target specific stages of the inflammatory process, promoting a controlled and regenerative healing response. • Surface characterization techniques/surface modifications: the importance of surfaces in the biomedical field and the issue of contamination will be introduced. The main surface characterization techniques will also be illustrated (XPS, FT-IR, ATR, SIMS, contact angle, atomic force microscopy, zeta potential measurement, Raman spectroscopy and SERS, gas physisorption measurements, quartz crystal microbalance). The fundamentals of using computed nanotomography in the characterization and design of biomedical devices will also be provided. Examples of surfaces designed to improve biological response (both commercial and experimental). • Degradation in biomaterials: clinical cases of undesired degradation in polymers, metals, and ceramics will be presented (causes, effects, and possible solutions). Devices and strategies for engineered degradation of materials will also be discussed (sutures, abdominal barriers, multifunctional devices, injectable cements, bioresorbable metals). • Research activities in the frame of European projects: presentation of the clinical contexts and proposed solutions in several application fields such as myocardial infarction, colonrectal tissue regeneration, bone and wound healing.

The course is organized into lectures (49.5 hours) and group work (5 teams), to be prepared mainly during the 6 hours allocated within the course schedule. Additionally, 4.5 hours of laboratory sessions are planned, focusing on the use of specific equipment such as electron microscopy, computed nanotomography, 3D printing, plasma surface modification, and spray-drying. Students will be divided into different groups to carry out one collaborative project, which will be presented to the rest of the class during the course. The topic of the group project will be selected from those proposed by the teachers; however, students may also propose and agree upon alternative topics. During the course, each team will have 6 hours of scheduled teamwork and discussion with the teachers to define the structure and content of the presentation. Students must choose one of the proposed group projects, ensuring a balanced distribution in terms of group size and related work.

Slides provided by the teacher and recently published scientific papers on specific techniques.

Lecture slides;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group project;

The oral exam will last approximately 20 minutes and will include questions covering all topics addressed during the course, including the presentations of the other group projects. The final grade will be based on the oral exam score (maximum 20 points) and the evaluation obtained for the group work carried out during the course (maximum 10 points).

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.