This course will guide students in the design of cell and tissue-based systems for application to the development of in vitro models, artificial organs and delivery systems using technology based on stem cells, organoids, smart materials and smart fabrication.
Starting from a quantitative description of cell, tissue and organ assembly, and of their requirements in terms of resources, microenvironmental conditions, cooperation and competition, the course  covers fundamental design principles. It also provides a comprehensive overview of stem cell, organoid and on-chip technology as well as mathematical models of self-assembly, growth and differentiation. Project work will include design and simulation of in vitro models.

Oral exam with questions that involve calculations and modelling.

Students will gain an understanding of basic principles of: i) cell biology; ii) stem cell biology; iii) organoids; iv) cell-matrix interactions; v) cell-receptor interaction; vi) cell and tissue metabolism,  from an engineering point of view.

They will be able to  establish design criteria for engineered tissues and use them to design simple cell culture systems.

Assessment will be performed through classwork and exams

Students will be able to perform simple calculations on cell metabolism and receptor interaction. They will be able to distinguish between organoids, spheroids and scaffold based tissue constructs. They will be able to generate simple 3D models of reaction-diffusion-flow

Assessment will be performed through classwork and exams