Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	Microscopy and Analysis of Biomaterials
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Dentistry
Module Code	02 14131
Module Lead	Dr Mel Grant, Dr Gosia Wiench
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-21 hours Tutorial-5 hours Practical Classes and workshops-15 hours Guided independent study-159 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The aim of this module is to develop the ability to identify strategies to evaluate the clinical performance of biomaterials. The main microscopical methods for biological and non-biological materials analysis are introduced, including sample preparation and the physical principles underlying each of the methods. The module covers light microscopy, histology, histochemistry and immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy (transmission and scanning), EDX, Scanning probe microscopy, X-ray and electron diffraction, wet chemistry (gravimetry, atomic spectroscopy), XRF with WDX (C), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy and ESCA (Auger and XPS). The benefits and limitations of the different approaches are reviewed as applied to issues such as material failure or tissue responses. Students are also taught the basis of different types of cell culture, requirements to grow in culture and how cells can be used in vitro to examine specific problems related to biomaterials implantation.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Describe the basic operational principles of the materials analysis methods covered and critically assess their strengths and limitations For a specified particular problem relating to biomaterials, select an appropriate analysis technique Interpret a diffraction pattern and and EDX spectrum obtained from a simple biomaterial; Describe the how a light microscope can be adjusted to produce different types of illumination and the purposes for which these are used. Compare and contrast image formation in a scanning electron and a transmission electron microscope, methods of specimen preparation and the information each provides. Describe the principles of cell culture and the differences from organ and tissue culture; Identify the differences between primary cells and cell lines, the processes involved and their relative advantages and disadvantages in in vitro cell research Demonstrate an understanding of techniques that can be used to dissociate cells in culture Discuss the similarities and differences between in vivo and in vitro studies, in terms of the information each can provide Describe how cells adhere and migrate in culture; Describe how to set up a cell culture, count cells and how to assess their viability, proliferation and activity assessed Demonstrate an understanding of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986;
Assessment	14131-01 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%) 14131-05 : Online Histology & SEM Quiz : Coursework (15%) 14131-06 : Cell culture Practical write-up : Coursework (35%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Examination: 2h Mixed unseen (50%) Coursework (50%) consisting of: - a 2000 word Cell Culture Practical Report . (35%). - Histology, TEM and SEM online quiz (15%). .Reassessment: The pass mark for the module is 40%. Students who fail to achieve the minimum of 35% in the exam and/or the coursework must repeat the failed component(s). Reassessment will either be a resit (new) exam or in the case of coursework, a new quiz will have to be taken or a new report will have to be written and submitted.
Other	None
Reading List	R Freshney, Animal Cell Culture, 2nd ed (IRL Press); PEJ Flewitt and RK Wild, Physical methods for materials characterisation; J.B. Eberhart, Structural and Chemical analysis of Materials (Wiley);