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Course Overview
Polymers are increasingly finding use in medicine. Natural, synthetic, and biomimetic polymeric materials will be discussed in the context of the key role they play in advancing medical device technologies. Applications where polymers play a key role include (but are not limited to) biosensing, tissue replacement/repair, drug delivery through the oral and transdermal routes, gene delivery using nanoparticles, and Covid-19 vaccines
This two-day virtual course will address the breadth of different polymeric systems in a wide range of usage areas from medicine and drug delivery to medical devices. Attendees will get an overview of how to evaluate the many medical needs that can be addressed by clever use of polymers. Key takeaways from the course should include: an understanding of which medical devices are functionally dependent on the performance attributes of the polymers used; aspects of designing polymers for specific medical applications including device coatings and use of biomimetic polymers; how to evaluate the merits of using synthetic polymers over naturally-derived polymers for implanted devices; and assessing the ability to modify polymers to enable biodegradable and biostable coatings on devices.
Specific Topics Covered
(minor additions or changes possible)
Introduction to Polymers for Medical Applications; Biocompatibility
- Integration of polymers with surrounding tissue; cytotoxicity
Gels, Crosslinked Systems and Stimuli-responsive Hydrogels
- Applications: contact lenses, adhesives in patches; triggered drug delivery
Drug/Protein/Gene Delivery; Nanostructured Polymers
- Self-assembly; nanocarriers for siRNA and mRNA; COVID-19 and other vaccines
Natural Polymers and Biomimetic Polymers
- Proteins; artificial proteins; biomimetic polymers/proteins; collagen, elastin
Biodegradable Polymers
- Sutures; fully-degradable implants; biocompatibility of degradation products
Tissue Engineering Scaffolds and Device Coatings
- Tissue compatibilization using coatings; functionalized surfaces that help to integrate implants; blood-contacting devices; artificial blood vessels; bio-artificial pancreas
Who Should Attend
This course is likely to be of particular interest to scientists and engineers in medical device industries as well as in biotech companies involved in drug or gene delivery/ vaccines/nanomedicine. People working (or desiring to work) in any function that involves polymeric materials (R&D, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Reliability, Materials Procurement, Regulatory Compliance, etc.) but who have not had directly relevant polymer science training are highly likely to benefit. Please note that some familiarity with chemical nomenclature and structure will be helpful, but a degree in chemistry is not a requirement to benefit significantly from this survey course.
Instructor Background
Dr. Subbu Venkatraman has a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from Carnegie-Mellon University.
Dr. Venkatraman spent about 15 years in materials and biomedical R&D in the USA, working with various applications of polymeric materials, before joining the Nanya Technological University (NTU) in Singapore as an Associate Professor in 2000. He was instrumental in starting the Biomaterials effort at NTU and developing the paradigm of research driven by medical needs. He served as Associate Chair for Research for 6 years, before taking over as Chair in 2011. Under his watch the School’s worldwide ranking jumped 41 places to #3 as per the QS rankings, and #1 as per the US News & World Report rankings.
Dr. Venkatraman has published extensively in the field of biomaterials, with a total of 270 publications, with an H-index of 47 and a citation count of 10,000. He also holds 70 patents from a total of 171 applications. His work in biomaterials has led to 3 spin-off companies, with one of them (Amaranth Medical) obtaining substantial series C funding. He has also received the 2014 Singapore President’s Technology Award together with Professor Freddy Boey and Adjunct A/P Tina Wong, for their innovative application of nanostructures and novel drug delivery approach to combat blindness from glaucoma. He is also the co-founder of Peregrine Ophthlamic Pte Ltd and Amaranth Medical Pte Ltd.
Dr. Venkatraman’s National University of Singapore (NUS) research group was most recently interested in designing and modifying materials for biomedical applications, with a focus is on nanotechnological approaches to enhance the efficacy of protein drugs and genes. Today, he is the Innovations Manager for the U.C. San Diego School of Medicine.
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