Course detail

Polymers in Medicine, Pharmacy and Cosmetics

FCH-BC_PMFKAcad. year: 2024/2025

The subject summarizes current knowledge about polymers and their composites, which form a significant part of biomaterials used in regenerative medicine and pharmacy, mainly as part of medical devices, biosensors, implants, drug carriers or cells. The subject provides an overview of modern synthetic and natural polymers, composites and hydrogels used mainly in medicine and pharmacy, as well as methods of their characterization and monitoring of physico-chemical and biological properties, including their behavior in living organisms. However, the selection of suitable and safe polymers for use in cosmetics is no less important.

 

 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Lucy Vojtová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Materials Science (ÚCHM)

Entry knowledge

The student should have the basics of organic and macromolecular chemistry.

 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Oral examination (70%), which is preceded by a written test to be satisfied at 60%.

Active participation in the lessons, including passed test (30%).

 

Aims

The course will provide students with a basic overview of the history and present of biomaterials used in medicine, pharmacy and cosmetics. Students will be introduced to an overview of synthetic and natural polymers, composites and hydrogels (also in the research stage), their general synthesis, sample preparation, characterization, and testing both chemical-physical and biological with a focus especially on regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, pharmacy and specific medical applications. The theoretical overview will be supplemented by a practical demonstration in the laboratory.

 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Guelcher SA, Hollinger JO, editors. An Introduction to Biomaterials. In: The biomedical engineering series, Neuman MR, series editor. Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Boca Raton, Florida, USA. 2006, pp. 553. ISBN: 0-8493-2282-0 (CS)
PATRAVALE, Vandana, DISOUZA, John I. and SHAHIWALA, Aliasgar. Polymers for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications, Fundamentals, Selection, and Preparation. Elsevier, 2024. ISBN 9780323954969 (CS)

Recommended reading

GEBELEIN, Charles G., CHENG, Tai C. and YANG, Victor C. (eds.). Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Applications of Polymers. 1. Boston, MA: Springer US, 1991. ISBN 978-1-4613-6722-2 (CS)
VAN GHELUWE, Louise, CHOURPA, Igor, GAIGNE, Coline and MUNNIER, Emilie. Polymer-Based Smart Drug Delivery Systems for Skin Application and Demonstration of Stimuli-Responsiveness. Polymers. Online. 2021. Vol. 13, no. 8p. 1-31. [Accessed 15 September 2023]. DOI 10.3390/polym13081285 (CS)
VOJTOVÁ, L.; WOLFOVÁ, L.; JUREČKOVÁ, L.; KOHUTOVÁ, L. Úvod do tkáňového inženýrství. In Úvod do tkáňového inženýrství. Česká republika: MediaBros s.r.o., 2015. s. 19-45. ISBN: 978-80-260-9720- 4 (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme BPCP_MPMU Bachelor's 3 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Lucy Vojtová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Polymeric materials - introduction, definition, classification, applications in medicine and general overview of polymeric materials and implants for tissue engineering of bones, nervous and cardiovascular systems, skin, tendons, menisci and cartilage.

2. Biodegradation of polymers, biocompatibility - characterization and testing of materials in vitro and in vivo.

3. Synthetic polymers - general overview, biodegradable polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyester carbonates, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, polypropylene fumarates, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyalkylcyanoacrylates, polyiminocarbonates, inorganic polyphosphazenes and polyphosphoesters.

4. Biopolymers - polysaccharides: cellulose, hyaluronan, chitosan, alginate, silk fibroin - properties, modifications and applications, polynucleotides (RGD), proteins (collagen, fibrin), polyesters (PHB, PHV), isoprenoids - properties, modifications and applications

5. Composite polymer materials and their use in medicine – (nano)fibers and (nano)particles filled with polymers, combinations of natural and synthetic polymers, ceramic (bioglass, hydroxyapatite) and metal (titanium, silver, gold) biomaterials, new biomaterials prepared by self-assembly processes (self-assembly bottom up methods).

6. Hydrogels in medicine - basic terms, classification of hydrogels, structure of hydrogels, rheology, cross-linking, mechanical properties, swelling, applications.

7. Polymers and biopolymers used in cosmetics - PVA, PEG, CMC, HEC, carrageenan, collagen, hyaluronic acid, liposomes, humectants, emollients.

8. Polymers in pharmaceutical applications, pharmaceutical packaging, polymers as pharmaceutical excipients, controlled drug release.

9. Physico-chemical analyzes and characterization – distribution and overview: FTIR, NMR, AFM, SEM, optical microscopy, swelling, GPC, GC-MS, DSC, TGA.

10. Biological evaluation of nanomaterials.

11. Regeneration of hard and soft tissues.

12. Practical demonstrations in the laboratory – preparation of biomaterials, 3D printing.