Ateneo - UPO

The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of (i) how the immune system reacts to the implantation of a biomaterial and the potential clinical consequences, and (ii) how the characteristics of a biomaterial can be leveraged to mitigate and control the immune response. The topics covered range from the fundamental principles of immunology—explaining the stages of the immune response to the presence of a biomedical device—to an analysis of how the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of biomaterials can be utilized to modulate the immune response.

The slides presented during lectures contain data from scientific literature and provide sufficient material for preparing for the exam.
All slides are uploaded and made available to students on the DIR platform.
The full text of any article from which the data in the slides is drawn can be obtained upon request to the professor.

The main objectives of the course are to educate students about the risks related to the immune response that may arise following the implantation of a biomedical device, and, at the same time, to provide them with a foundational understanding of the physical, chemical, and morphological properties of biomaterials that can trigger or mitigate such an immune response.

Basic knowledge of biology, biochemistry, anatomy, histology, immunology, physics, and mathematics.

Lectures are delivered using slides prepared by the instructor, based on research articles and literature reviews from the scientific literature.
All slides are uploaded and made available to students on the DIR platform.
The full text of all articles from which the data in the slides are drawn is available upon request to the professor.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request specific services and tools tailored to their needs by contacting the "Career Development and Coordination and Student Services" staff and by consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizistudentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa. Once they have established contact with the University staff, students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN may reach out to the instructor of a given course to discuss the specific arrangements for examinations and other didactic aspects.

The examination consists of a multiple-choice quiz designed to assess the student's knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in class.
The exam is administered via the university's digital platform, Esami DIR.

The course covers several topics, detailed as follows:
1. The immune response to biomaterials: from the acute phase to the chronic phase
2. Risks associated with an excessive immune response: rejection, degradation, and the formation of a fibrous capsule
3. Biomaterial properties that influence the immune response: topography, surface chemistry, mechanical properties, and degradation
4. In vitro and in vivo strategies for evaluating the immune response to biomaterials
5. Next-generation biomaterials and strategies for biomimicry
6. Fundamentals of regulatory aspects

By the end of the course, students will understand the mechanisms and key stages through which the immune system reacts to and attacks biomedical devices following implantation. At the same time, they will acquire a solid grasp of how the physical, chemical, and morphological characteristics of biomaterials can either trigger or mitigate the immune response, enabling them to develop future strategies to improve the biocompatibility of such materials.