Calendar

LEC # TOPICS KEY DATES
1

Overview of Course, Orientation to Current Approaches and Types of Molecularly-designed Biomaterials

Biodegradable Polymeric Solids

Chemistry and Physical Chemistry of Hydrolysis

Links between Materials Structure and Hydrolysis Mechanisms
2

Biodegradable Polymeric Solids (cont.)

Factors Controlling Polymer Degradation Rates

Theory of Solid Polymer Erosion

Tailoring Degradable Polymer Structure and Composition

 Problem set 1 out
3

Controlled Release Devices

Types of Controlled Release Devices

Degradable Materials in Controlled Release Devices

Physical Chemistry Principles in Delivering Small Molecules vs. Proteins
4

Controlled Release Devices (cont.)

Theory of Drug Release in Eroding Systems

Problem set 1 due

Problem set 2 out
5

Case Studies in Complex Controlled Release

Pulsatile Release from Programmed Eroding Systems

Controlled Release Microchips

Combining Drug Delivery with Tissue Engineering

Problem set 2 due

Problem set 3 out
6

Hydrogels as Biomaterials

Hydrogel Structure and Physical Chemistry

Methods of Polymerization
7

Hydrogels as Biomaterials (cont.)

Theory of Hydrogel Swelling

Physical Hydrogels

  • Ionic and Hydrogen Bonding in Gels
  • Association of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers

Problem set 3 due

Problem set 4 out
8

Hydrogels as Biomaterials (cont.)

Polyelectrolyte Hydrogels

Coacervates

Polyelectrolyte Multi-layers
9

Hydrogels as Biomaterials (cont.)

Theory of Polyelectrolyte Gel Swelling

Problem set 4 due

Problem set 5 out
10

Hydrogels as Biomaterials (cont.)

Applications of Hydrogels: Molecular Imprinting

Applications of Hydrogels: Glucose-sensitive Drug Delivery

Kinetics of Drug Diffusion Through Hydrogels
11

Engineering Biological Recognition of Biomaterials

Biological Recognition in Vivo

Protein-resistant and Cell-resistant Surfaces

Engineering Recognition of Biomaterials: Adhesion and Migration

 Problem set 5 due
Exam 1
12

Engineering Biological Recognition of Biomaterials (cont.)

Enzymatic Recognition of Biomaterials

Cytokine Signaling from Biomaterials
13

Engineering Biological Recognition of Biomaterials (cont.)

Mimicking Cell-cell Contacts with Surfaces

 Problem set 6 out
14

Bioceramics and Biocomposites

Introduction to Biological Approaches to Biomineralization

Interfacial Biomineralization
15

Bioceramics and Biocomposites (cont.)

Biological Control of Mineralization within Vesicles

Biomimetic Syntheses: Microemulsion and Micellar Reactions Organic Templating of Inorganic Biomaterials: Natural and Synthetic Approaches

Problem set 6 due

Problem set 7 out
16

Bioceramics and Biocomposites (cont.)

Theory of Controlled Nucleation

Bone Structure and Bone Biomimesis

Biocomposites in Device Applications and Drug Delivery
17

Molecular Devices

Molecular Switches via Proteins and 'Smart' Polymers

  • Temperature, pH, and Light-sensitive Switches

Molecular Motors

  • Kinesin-based Molecular Shuttles
  • ATP Synthase-based Nano-rotors

Problem set 7 due

Problem set 8 out
18

Nanoparticle and Microparticle Biomolecule Drug Carriers

Pro-drugs, Micelles, Liposomes, Polymerosomes, Nanoparticles, and Microparticles

Delivery of Drugs to Tissues via Systemic Circulation

Materials for Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery
19

Nanoparticle and Microparticle Biomolecule Drug Carriers (cont.)

Barriers to Systemic / Oral Delivery and Delivery of Molecules to Tissues

'Stealth' Particles

  • Theory of Protein-resistant Particles

Experimental Function of Long-circulating Carriers and PEGylated Compounds

Problem set 8 due

Take-home exam distributed
Focus Topic: Integrating Biological Knowledge Into Biomaterials Design For Vaccines
20

Basic Biology of Vaccination and Viral Infections

Rudiments of Adaptive Immunity: The Basis of Vaccination

Viral Infections
21

Basic Biology of Vaccination and Viral Infections (cont.)

Vaccination Against Viruses: Parallels between Immunization and Infection
22

Drug Targeting and Intracellular Drug Delivery for Vaccines

Targeting Nano-carriers and Micro-carriers to Specific Cell Types

Chemistry of Antibodies for Targeting

Pathways of Intracellular Transport
23

Drug Targeting and Intracellular Drug Delivery for Vaccines (cont.)

Mechanisms of Intracellular Delivery

Mimicking Viral Entry Strategies
24

DNA Vaccines

Gene Therapy and DNA Immunization

Mechanisms of DNA Vaccines
25

DNA Vaccines (cont.)

Delivery Systems for DNA

Systemic vs. Local Delivery

 Take-home exam due