OD9010 – Essential Tissue Engineering
Course content
In this advanced course on tissue engineering, students will be introduced into all aspects of the interdisciplinary field of tissue reconstruction for regenerative medicine and explore cutting-edge technologies aimed at repairing, regenerating and replacing tissues and organs.??
Designed for PhD students from diverse backgrounds including life sciences, chemistry?and dentistry, this course offers a foundational overview of tissue engineering strategies and their applications in translational medicine.?
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Through a combination of theoretical lectures and hands-on experience, students will gain valuable insights into 2D and 3D cell culture systems, scaffold design, cell culture substrates, and organ-on a-chip technologies. Moreover, the course aims to enhance understanding and raise awareness of timely and crucial issues surrounding animal replacement and the regulatory landscape of tissue engineering.?
By the end of the course, students will emerge with a deep understanding of tissue engineering principles and practical skills essential for addressing the healthcare challenges of the future.?
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The learning outcomes include:
Introducing the principles, including cell sources and growth factor delivery systems.
Clarifying the interactions between cells, scaffolds, and biochemical cues in associated tissue regeneration processes.?
?Describing the role of scaffold design in tissue engineering, including their properties,??biocompatibility and degradation mechanisms.?
Explaining biomimetics in the various tissue engineering strategies and technologies.
Defining the tissue-specific requirements and challenges in hard and soft tissue engineering applications.?
Clarifying the fundamental principles of cell biology, molecular biology, and materials science to design and optimize tissue engineering approaches.
Defining the importance of tissue engineering in translational and regenerative medicine.?
Furthermore, students will learn how to:
Critically evaluate scientific literature and research findings in tissue engineering, including recent advancements and emerging technologies.?
Communicate scientific concepts, experimental results, and research proposals effectively through oral presentations, written reports, and scientific publications.?
Explore laboratory techniques commonly used in tissue engineering research, such as cell culture, scaffold fabrication, and tissue characterization.?
Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to tissue engineering challenges.?
About advanced techniques for stem cell culture, expansion, and in vitro manipulation.?
Skills
These learning outcomes aim to provide students with a thorough understanding of tissue engineering principles and applications.?
The course will establish the basis of the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to advancements in biomedical engineering for regenerative medicine.?
Admission to the course
The course is open to all registered PhD students.
Special admission requirements
No special admission requirements.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No mandatory prerequisites.
Recommended previous knowledge
This introductory tissue engineering course assumes that PhD students have foundational understanding of cell biology (e.g., extracellular matrix biology) and biomaterials science.
Prior experience with core laboratory techniques, such as aseptic cell culture, molecular biology methods, immunohistochemistry, and basic microscopy, is strongly recommended, for exposure to physiological concepts and deeper engagement with course content.
Participants should demonstrate proficiency in scientific literature analysis and fundamental data interpretation (including graph evaluation and statistical methods). While preparatory materials can be provided for students with limited background, the course progressively builds core competencies to support interdisciplinary learners.
Wet-lab experience, though beneficial, is not considered mandatory.
Teaching
12-week course combining foundational training in tissue engineering (Weeks 1-4) with structured scientific essay development (Weeks 5-11), concluding with an oral presentation (Week 12).
Examination
Students explore essentials of tissue engineering before applying this knowledge to a 4,000-word research essay. The phased assessment includes peer review, iterative revisions, and graphical abstract creation to develop both technical and communicative skills. The program concludes with a 10-minute presentation synthesizing key findings for faculty and peers.
Timeline
Teaching Phase (Weeks 1-4)
Week 1: Foundations of Tissue Engineering
Week 2: Advanced Methods;
Week 3: Translational Applications;
Week 4: Workshop.
Assessment Phase (Weeks 5-12)
Week 5 Essay Research: choose topic
Week 6: Submit title online
Week 7: Drafting & Analysis: Submit first draft (1,500-2,000 words) for early feedback
Week 8: Peer Review: complete peer evaluation (≥400 word report on a peer's essay)
Week 9: Response to Peer Review:? ≥500 word report responding to review on own essay
Week 11: Final Submission: Final essay (4,000 words ±10%), Graphical abstract
Week 12: Deliver a 10-minute oral presentation.
Examination support material
To be announced.
Language of examination
All work submitted must adhere to formal academic English standards, including, discipline-appropriate terminology and flawless citation management of all sources.
Grading scale
A-F
Resit an examination
Late submissions follow standard penalty protocols.
More about examinations at UiO
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- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.