The course integrates the understanding of bio & nanomaterials, engineering biomaterials for tissue engineering and regeneration, biocompatibility methods as alternative to animal testing, and medical signals & bioelectromagnetism.

The first part introduces nanomaterials & biomaterials, with a special focus on their tissue-inspired character, and their engineering and 3D printing for tissue repair and regeneration. The bone tissue engineering introduces the biological foundations of bone regeneration, with a focus on ectopic bone formation and the stimuli that drive this process. A complementary perspective will highlight decellularization as a method to obtain scaffolds preserving native biological cues, providing functional environments for bone tissue engineering.

Participants will examine decellularized tissues as models of scaffolds retaining intrinsic biological signals and morphological features. The activity continues with a visit to the computed tomography laboratory, where bone formation is validated through 3D imaging of previously engineered models.

The introduction in alternative methods to animal testing offers a presentation of biological evaluation of medical devices, focusing on replacing in vivo animal testing with other methods such as 3D cell cultures and organoids. The practical work is an introduction to basic cell culture procedures applied to the biocompatibility assessment of medical devices. Different methods for 3D cell cultivation will be practiced.

The course continues with a presentation of monitoring equipment and characterization of medical signals. Finally, the course introduces Lower Limb Prosthetics as a clinical application of tissue engineering and biomedical principles. It provides an overview of anatomy, biomechanics, and prosthetic design, exploring different types of lower limb prostheses, fitting techniques, and materials used in fabrication. Practical sessions emphasize hands-on applications such as alignment, gait training, and patient-centered adjustments, allowing participants to directly apply theoretical knowledge in real clinical scenarios.

The course on Artificial Tissues and Organs aims to guide the students in a journey in the interesting field of engineering biomaterials, additive manufacturing, biocompatibility screening for tissue engineering, and medical signals for personalized medicine. The first part of the course is devoted to the engineering of modern & sustainable biomaterials, with a special focus on their tissue-inspired character, tissue-specific properties and their engineering for applications in functional artificial tissues and organs, including the evaluation of the biocompatibility and the control of biological interactions. The next chapter focuses on the 3D printing of scaffolds for tissue repair and regeneration, with a main interest in the development of personalized bone implants. Next, the students are introduced in the exploration of biocompatibility for applications in tissue engineering and personalized implants & diagnostic. The course continues with a presentation of monitoring equipment and characterization of medical signals. The activities will be interactive, discussions will be promoted with the students. Every day, practical activities will contribute to a better understanding of the theoretical concepts. Finally, the students will be evaluated in a two-hour examination of the topics discussed during the five-day lecture.

1.      Engineering nanomaterials and bio-inspired matrices for tissue engineering and regeneration

2.      Bone Tissue Engineering: scaffold-based strategies & biological stimuli; hands-on in tissue regeneration: decellularization and 3D imaging techniques

3.      Biocompatibility assessment: alternative methods to animal testing

4.      Characterization of medical signals & Bioelectromagnetism

5.      Lower Limb Prosthetics and Practical Applications