Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	Emerging Technologies
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Dentistry
Module Code	02 17987
Module Lead	Dr Mike Hofmann
Level	Honours Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-9 hours Tutorial-6 hours Practical Classes and workshops-10 hours Guided independent study-75 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	To generate an understanding of how new technologies impact upon the development of biomaterials and to inform students of the current possibilities and future potential of such technologies. Tissue engineering, gene therapy and xenotransplants will be covered and their advantages/limitations discussed, in addition to which students will be introduced to some of the non-science factors (including regulatory/ethical issues and intellectual property rights) that affect the development of new therapeutic solutions. The module will also outline other novel technologies including nanotechnology, micro-engineering, biomimetics and solid freeform fabrication.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Define the term "tissue engineering" and give examples of tissue engineered products; Discuss the current state of research in Tissue Engineering in the following areas and discuss the ethics, biomaterials requirements, limitations, questions and potential problems which may arise: skin, cartilage, secretary tissue, nervous tissue, blood, vascular tissue, bone; Explain the difference between static and perfusion culture systems and discuss the key factors which influence cell behaviour in each and the advantages of the latter for tissue and organ culture; Discuss potential problems that would need to be overcome when transferring cells grown in a lab. to the human body. Using the TheraCyte* system as an example, describe a cell transplantation system for containing cells for treatment of molecular deficiency diseases; Discuss the current use and key requirements of biomaterials used in tissue culture and transplantation such as scaffolds and synthetic membranes; Describe the role of patents in the process of commercialisation; Compare the regulatory and ethical issues that impact upon tissue engineered products and conventional medical devices.
Assessment	17987-01 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%) 17987-02 : Case study presentation with paper commentary/opinion : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Exam - Written Unseen (50%) Coursework : (50%) comprising: A 1500 word essay (30%) Presentation – case study (20%) Reassessment: Academic failure: If a student fails the module then they will be required to repeat the failed components only. Failure to submit: Submission of coursework is compulsory for the programme. Students are advised that failure to submit without justifiable reason could result in failure of the module. Students will be required to submit outstanding work to meet the module outcomes.
Other	None
Reading List	Frontiers in tissue engineering edited by Charles W Patrick, Antonios G. Mikos and Larry V McIntire, Pergamon (1998)