Module aims

You will learn about modern developments in tissue engineering, and about the principles on which they are based.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will be able to:

  • Specify the importance in tissue engineering of controlling the local environment to generate a specific cellular response
  • Plan a synthetic strategy of a material for tissue engineering
  • Consider the advantages and disadvantages of different scaffold materials in tissue engineering
  • Recommend a strategy for taking a bimaterial through clincial trials.

Module content

  • Cellular responses to the microenvironment and how they underpin tissue engineering.
  • Empirical and rational design approaches to tissue engineering.
  • The principles and basic mechanisms of cellular signalling, in the abstract, and with reference to the examples given in the course.
  • The principles and mechanisms of cellular mechanotransduction.
  • Surface chemistry and protein adsorption relevant to tissue engineering.
  • Materials synthesis for tissue engineering.
  • Property requirements of scaffold materials for regenerative biological applications.
  • Strategies to fabricate porous materials.
  • Approaches to functionalisation of porous materials.
  • The role and importance of the extracellular matrix in tissue engineering.
  • The advantages and disadvantages of hydrogels and other scaffolds for tissue engineering.
  • The application of polymers in drug delivery as a basis of polymer structure.
  • Clinical and modern applications of tissue engineering including case studies.

Module lead

Iain Dunlop

ECTS/FHEQ

5/7

Module code

MATE70016

Host department

Department of Materials

Offered to

  • Chemical Engineering

Term

Spring

Time slot

AM

Teaching weeks

15-25

August resit opportunity?

Yes

How to apply

Via the student's home department - host department to be informed

Application deadline

The deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 22nd October 2025

Places available (approximate)

10

Criteria used for student selection

First come, first assigned a place

Further information

For any queries about this module, please contact the Materials Student Office at materialsstudentoffice@imperial.ac.uk. Please state your full name, department and CID when emailing the team.