Module Descriptors
MECHGB05 Bioengineering
Code
MECHGB05
Alt. Codes(s)
Title
None
Bioengineering
Level
UCL Credits/ ECTS
Start
End
Taught by
Dr Suwan Jayasinghe
Prerequisites
At least a 2-ii degree in Science, Engineering or a degree in Medicine.
All candidates must satisfy UCL's English Language requirements.
Course Aims
This module sets out to give the student a sound understanding in the direct engineering of
all living cells and organisms (multicellular systems). This will include the understanding of
all processing sciences associated with the engineering of living cells and organisms for the
fabrication of tissues and microenvironments, which will have the potential as a front
running strategy for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The course consists of
understanding all the advanced processing approaches in-depth from lithography-based to
ink-jet technology leading to emerging technologies. All the physical science issues related
to the processing sciences of active cells will be addressed including the advantages and
disadvantages of each process elucidating the necessity for the unearthing of novel
approaches. The next stage will allow the students to gain a good understanding of the
associated biology during the formation of tissues and structures from a genetic, genomic to
physiological level.
Firstly, it will endeavour to bring all the students who are from a wide background to one
level of understanding with respect to all the associated engineering and biological sciences.
In harnessing this one level of "hybrid" students in-depth understanding of the associated
engineering sciences and biology will be taught further where all the associated scientific
considerations will be understood for making either a fully functional multi-cellular tissue
and/or organ.
Method of Instruction
Here there are two visiting lecturers (molecular and cellular biologists) who will address
issues in basic biology to those intricacies when directly engineering tissues and/or organs. In
addition to these physical and life sciences based lectures, the students will have a few invited
lectures from tissue engineering and biological centres having excellence in regenerative
medicine and genomics. The module will end with a live demonstration of two jet-based
technologies that are competing "head to head" for forming active biological structures from
living cells and/or organisms. The intention of this module is twofold.
Recommended Reading
The reading list comprises of a mixture of handouts (scientific journal publications) and text
books; e.g.
 Specific articles from Nature and its sister journals, Science, Regenerative
Medicine, Biomaterials etc.
 Molecular biology of the cell: by Alberts et al.
 Human Chromosomes by Miller and Therman.
 Principles of Tissue Engineering by Lanza et al.
 Fundamentals of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine by Meter et al.
Page last modified on 30 sep 13 16:41