Cell and Tissue Engineering
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, postgraduate students will be able to:
In terms of knowledge and understanding
- describe the principles of cell and tissue engineering and explain how engineering, physical science, and biology are integrated to create therapeutic cell and tissue constructs
- explain the properties and design requirements of biomaterial scaffolds for cell culture and tissue engineering, including mechanical, chemical, and biological considerations
- describe approaches for cell sourcing (primary cells, stem cells, iPSCs), culture expansion, and differentiation in therapeutic contexts
- identify the key ethical, regulatory, and industrial considerations in translating cell and tissue engineering technologies to clinical application
In terms of skills
- apply engineering and biological principles to evaluate biomaterial and scaffold design choices for specific tissue engineering applications
- analyse and compare cell culture and bioreactor strategies for the production of engineered tissues
- critically evaluate primary research literature on cell and tissue engineering and discuss findings in seminar settings
- assess the translational and ethical dimensions of a cell or tissue engineering technology through case-study analysis
- communicate scientific and engineering findings effectively through written reports and oral presentations
- work effectively in seminar discussions to integrate perspectives from biology, engineering, medicine, and ethics
- apply knowledge of industrial manufacturing considerations to evaluate scale-up challenges in cell and tissue engineering
In terms of competencies
- integrate knowledge from engineering, cell biology, biomaterials science, and medical ethics to address challenges in therapeutic cell and tissue engineering
- critically evaluate scientific and industrial literature to identify key advances and outstanding challenges in cell and tissue engineering
- make informed decisions when assessing therapeutic strategies and their ethical and regulatory implications
- respect the ethical dimensions of research involving human cells, tissues, and clinical translation
- communicate scientific findings and ethical arguments effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Module Syllabus
- Introduction to cell and tissue engineering: scope, historical development, and overview of therapeutic applications
- Cell biology for tissue engineering: extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, mechanobiology, and cell-scaffold interactions
- Biomaterials I: natural polymers — collagen, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, alginate; properties and applications in tissue engineering scaffolds
- Biomaterials II: synthetic polymers — PLGA, PCL, PEG; fabrication methods (electrospinning, 3D bioprinting) and scaffold characterisation
- Cell sourcing and expansion: primary cells, adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for tissue engineering
- Bioreactor design and culture systems: static culture, spinner flasks, perfusion bioreactors, and hollow fibre systems for tissue engineering
- Vascularisation strategies: angiogenesis, co-culture with endothelial cells, and microfluidic approaches to engineer vascular networks
- Engineered tissues I: bone and cartilage engineering — clinical need, scaffold strategies, and clinical translation
- Engineered tissues II: skin, cardiac, and hepatic tissue engineering — case studies in clinical and industrial development
- Organ-on-a-chip and microphysiological systems: microfluidic platforms for modelling human tissue and drug testing
- Industrial and regulatory perspectives: GMP manufacturing of cell and tissue products, regulatory frameworks, and commercialisation pathways
- Ethical issues in cell and tissue engineering: use of human cells and tissues, embryonic stem cell research, and equitable access to therapies
Tutorial Sessions
- Seminar 1: introduction to cell and tissue engineering literature — guided reading and discussion of a landmark paper in the field
- Seminar 2: biomaterial design workshop — analysis and comparison of scaffold design strategies for a selected tissue engineering application
- Seminar 3: case study discussion — translational and regulatory challenges in a real cell or tissue engineering product development programme
- Seminar 4: ethics discussion — structured debate on an ethical issue in cell and tissue engineering (e.g., iPSC research, organ markets)
- Seminar 5: student project presentations — oral presentations of a team-based tissue engineering design project
Suggested Bibliography
- Lanza, R., Langer, R., Vacanti, J. (Eds.) Principles of Tissue Engineering, 5th Ed. Academic Press, 2020.
- Saltzman, W.M. Tissue Engineering: Engineering Principles for the Design of Replacement Organs and Tissues. Oxford University Press, 2004.
- Course Lecture Notes, Slides, and Laboratory Manuals (distributed via myCourses, McGill University’s learning management system)
Related academic journals:
Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering Parts A/B/C, Acta Biomaterialia, Advanced Healthcare Materials, Nature Biomedical Engineering