Course detail

Biomaterials I: Synthesis and Characterization

FCH-MC_BM_IAcad. year: 2025/2026

Natural and synthetic polymers and their composites with both bioceramic and metal components form a significant part of biomaterials used in medicine, especially as a part of medical devices, biosensors, implants, drug carriers or cells. Learning outcomes of the course unit The subject summarizes present knowledge about synthesis of biomedical polymers including their modification, copolymerization, functionalization and chemical-physical characterization. Emphasis is placed on the properties of hydrogels and biodegradable polymers useful in medicine, on testing their biocompatibility, stability and bioactivity in living organisms. The part is devoted to modern methods of preparation and overview of biomaterials for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Lucy Vojtová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Materials Science (ÚCHM)

Entry knowledge

The student should have the basics of organic and macromolecular chemistry, the advantage is knowledge of the structure and properties of polymeric materials and their composites.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Oral examination (70%), which is preceded by a written test to be satisfied at 60%.
Active participation in the lessons, including passed test (30%)

It is not, but the lectures are recommended.

Aims

The course provides students with a basic overview of biomaterials, their history and present. In addition to commercially available materials, students will be acquainted with (bio) polymeric materials in the research stage, their synthesis, chemical modifications, sample preparation, characterization and testing, both chemical-physical and biological, focusing on individual medical applications, especially in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Students will be able to choose suitable biomaterials and their combinations for defined medical applications, to design methods of synthesis, modification and preparation of (bio) polymers including methods of physico-chemical characterization and biological testing.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Guelcher SA, Hollinger JO, editors. An Introduction to Biomaterials. In: The biomedical engineering series, Neuman MR, series editor. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Boca Raton, Florida, USA. 2006, pp. 553. ISBN: 0-8493-2282-0. (EN)
Rieger B, Künkel, Coates GW, Reichardt R, Dinjus E, Zevaco TA, volume editors. Synthetic biodegradable polymers. In: Advances in Polymer Science. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. 2012; vol. 245, pp. 364. ISSN: 0065-3195 (EN)
Vojtová, L.; Wolfová, L.; Jurečková, L.; Kohutová, L. Úvod do tkáňového inženýrství. Česká Republika: MediaBros s.r.o., 2015. s. 19-45. ISBN: 978-80-260-9720- 4. (CS)

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Lucy Vojtová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Biomaterials - introduction, definition, classification and application in medicine.
2. Biological properties of biomaterials: Biodegradation of polymers, biocompatibility, toxicity - characterization and testing of materials in vitro and in vivo.
3. Synthetic polymers I - biodegradable - polyesters (PLA, PGA, PCL, PHB, PHV) - polycondenzation, ring opening polymerization, block copolymers, catalysts.
4. Synthetic polymers II - biodegradable - polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyester carbonates, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, polypropylene fumarates, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyalkylcyanoacrylates, polyiminocarbonates, inorganic polyphosphazenes and polyphosphoesters.
5. Chemical modifications of (bio) polymers - reactions according to functional groups, functionalization of synthetic polymers, binding of biologically active substances.
6. Biopolymers I - polysaccharides: cellulose, hyaluronan, chitosan, alginate - properties, modifications and applications.
7. Biopolymers II - polynucleotides (RGD), proteins (collagen, fibrin), silk fibroin - properties, modifications and applications.
8. Hydrogels (in medicine) - swelling, sol-gel transition, rheology, cross-linking, biomechanical properties.
9. Tissue engineering - principles, interaction of biomaterials with cells, cell and drug carriers.
10. Methods of preparation of biomaterials for tissue engineering – freeze-drying, electrospinning, solvent casting, foaming, sol-gel, laser sintering, 3D printing.
11. Chemical analyzes of polymers I: GPC, GC, HPLC, FTIR, UV-VIS, CD.
12. Chemical analysis of polymers II: 1H NMR, 13C NMR, COZY, NOSY, FTIR, DSC, TGA.
13. Imaging techniques: SEM, STEM, TEM, confocal microscopy, fluorescent, AFM, micro (nano) CT.

Guided consultation in combined form of studies

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Lucy Vojtová, Ph.D.