Bio-Metric Curriculum

Overview

BIO-METRIC Curriculum
Biomaterials and Osteoengineering – Multidisciplinary Education for Tissue Regeneration and Innovation in Collaboration

The BIO-METRIC Curriculum is part of the DAAD-funded Ta’ziz Short-Term Measures programme (Project ID: 57799097). It offers an interdisciplinary virtual course in regenerative medicine, integrating expertise from Germany, Jordan, and Tunisia. The curriculum covers topics such as biomaterials, scaffold engineering, natural compound integration, molecular pharming, design thinking, and regulatory affairs. The goal is to build regional and international capacity in regenerative biomedical innovation, with a focus on sustainability and translation.

Funding Agency:
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Programme: Ta’ziz – Short-Term Measures 2025

Project Coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Thaqif El Khassawna, Professor of Experimental Trauma Surgery and Regenerative Medicine
Justus Liebig University Giessen, Aulweg 128, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Contact: thaqif.elkhassawna@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de

All sessions will be held online using the following link: https://webconf.hrz.uni-giessen.de/b/tha-akn-qsp-ihc

Module 1: Introduction to Regenerative Medicine

Students will develop a foundational understanding of regenerative medicine, including the biological principles, key technologies, and therapeutic applications. Upon completion, students will be able to critically evaluate current strategies in tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, and biomaterial use in clinical and research contexts. They will also be able to propose interdisciplinary approaches to regenerative therapies tailored to different clinical needs.

Content:

• Basic principles of regenerative medicine
• Overview of tissue regeneration in different organ systems
• Cell-based therapies (e.g., stem cells, immune cells)
• Biomaterials and scaffold design
• Clinical translation: from bench to bedside
• Ethical considerations in regenerative medicine
• Regulation and market readiness of regenerative products
• Integration with pharmacological agents and bioactive compounds
• Challenges in scaling and personalization

Timeline: June 5^th – June 19^th (3 sessions, 2 hours each), 11-13.00 Uhr German Time; 12am-2pm Amman time

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Module 2: Natural Compounds and Bioactive Materials

Students will acquire fundamental and applied knowledge in pharmacognosy, focusing on the extraction, analysis, and biomedical application of bioactive plant-based compounds such as Myrrh and Hypericum. Upon completion, students will be able to evaluate natural compounds for regenerative applications, understand their antimicrobial and osteogenic mechanisms, and assess their integration into hydrogel and scaffold systems. Emphasis will be placed on analytical techniques, sustainability, and translational potential in biomaterials development.

Content:

• Introduction to medicinal plant-derived compounds
• Extraction and standardization techniques (e.g., Soxhlet, maceration, steam distillation)
• Analytical methods (HPLC, FTIR, NMR)
• Antimicrobial and osteogenic properties
• Incorporation into hydrogels and scaffolds
• Mechanisms of action in tissue regeneration
• Sustainability, regional sourcing, and regulatory considerations
• Case studies: Myrrh, Hypericum, and comparable natural actives
• NEW: Introduction to phytosomes and nanoliposomes using natural stabilizers and plasticizers (as suggested by Prof. Al-Hiari)

Timeline: June 26^th – July 10^rd (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

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Module 3+4: 3D Bioprinting and Scaffold Evaluation

Participants will develop in-depth knowledge of biomaterial classification, hydrogel formulation, and 3D bioprinting technologies as applied in regenerative medicine. They will learn to select and modify materials for scaffold development, design printable bioinks incorporating natural compounds, and evaluate scaffold performance through mechanical, biological, and imaging-based analyses. The module empowers students to bridge the gap between material science, engineering, and clinical translation.

Content:

• Classification and biological evaluation of biomaterials (natural vs. synthetic)
• Rheological principles, photoinitiators, degradation behavior of hydrogels
• Collagen-based scaffold formulation and optimization
• 3D bioprinting workflows and printer calibration
• Scaffold modeling and slicing using open-source software (e.g., Blender)
• Preclinical evaluation: cytotoxicity, mechanical testing, µCT, SEM
• Integration of antimicrobial and osteoinductive natural compounds (e.g., Myrrh, Hypericum)
• Regulatory and safety aspects of scaffold development

Timeline: July 17^th – Aug 7^th (4 sessions, 2 hours each)

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Module 5: Clinical Microbiology in Regenerative Medicine

Participants will develop a thorough understanding of microbiological principles relevant to regenerative medicine and bone healing. They will learn to evaluate infection risks, microbial interactions with biomaterials, and antimicrobial testing. The module empowers students to interpret laboratory diagnostics, plan anti-infective strategies, and critically assess antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the context of implant-associated infections and tissue regeneration.

Content:

• Microbial pathogenesis and host immune response
• Biofilm formation on scaffolds and implants
• Mechanisms and clinical implications of antimicrobial resistance
• In vitro antimicrobial screening methods (disk diffusion, MIC assays)
• Diagnostic tools and infection biomarkers
• Case studies on chronic wound and implant-related infections
• Microbiological considerations in scaffold design
• Emerging strategies: antiseptics, nanoparticles, and EV-based therapies

Timeline: Aug 14^th – Aug 28^th  (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

Individual session descriptions and contributor roles:

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Module 6: Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Pharming

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of plant-based biotechnological strategies for therapeutic development. They will learn the principles and applications of molecular pharming, genetic engineering using CRISPR/Cas systems, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems (e.g., phytosomes, nanoliposomes). By the end of the module, participants will be able to evaluate the potential of plant systems for pharmaceutical production, discuss challenges in yield optimization and regulation, and assess their translational relevance to regenerative medicine.

Content:

• Plant biotechnology and molecular pharming principles
• Genetic modification techniques (Agrobacterium, biolistics)
• Expression systems: plastid, nuclear, viral vectors
• CRISPR/Cas9 in plant-based bioengineering
• Phytosomes and nanoliposomes: structure, preparation, and biomedical applications
• Case studies: growth factors, antibodies, vaccines from plants
• Biosafety, scalability, and regulatory framework in pharming

Timeline:
Sep 4^th – Sep 18^th (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

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Module 7: Design Thinking and Innovation in Biomedicine

Participants will develop creative problem-solving competencies and acquire hands-on experience in design thinking processes tailored to biomedical innovation. They will learn to analyze user needs, generate and prototype ideas, and develop interdisciplinary approaches to tackle complex challenges in regenerative medicine and medical device development. The module promotes collaboration and entrepreneurship in translational science.

Content:

• Fundamentals of design thinking (Stanford & IDEO approaches)
• Problem framing and user-centered innovation
• Stakeholder mapping and need-finding in biomedicine
• Ideation techniques and creative facilitation
• Prototyping methods and low-fidelity modeling
• Feedback integration and iteration cycles
• Case-based challenges from regenerative medicine (e.g., scaffold usability)
• Pitching biomedical solutions

Timeline:
Sep 25^th – Oct 9^th (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

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Module 8: Scientific Writing and Research Communication

Participants will gain essential skills in academic and scientific writing with a focus on clarity, structure, and publication standards. They will be able to prepare research articles, theses, abstracts, and grant proposals in line with international scientific norms. Additionally, students will learn to present scientific data visually and critically engage with peer-reviewed literature.

Content:

• Scientific writing formats: IMRAD structure and stylistic conventions
• Writing abstracts, introductions, and conclusions
• Referencing systems and citation management
• Visual representation: figures, tables, and graphical abstracts
• Authorship ethics and plagiarism avoidance
• Preparing for peer review and journal submission
• Developing funding proposals and grant writing

Timeline: Oct 16^th – Oct 30^th (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

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Module 9: Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of quality assurance and regulatory frameworks in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors. They will be able to apply quality standards (e.g., ISO 13485), risk assessment tools, and compliance procedures relevant to the development of biomaterials and medical devices. Students will also become familiar with CE-marking, documentation protocols, and the principles behind regulatory audits.

Content:

• Fundamentals of quality management systems (QMS)
• ISO 13485 vs. ISO 9001: applicability and structure
• Risk management tools: FMEA and CAPA
• Documentation systems and SOP development
• Regulatory compliance: CE-marking, GMP, and audit readiness
• Quality control vs. quality assurance
• Examples from biomedical research and device development

Timeline: Nov 6^th – Nov 20^th (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

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Module 10: Public Health and Translational Impact in Regenerative Medicine

Participants will develop the ability to assess how innovations in regenerative medicine can address public health challenges and reduce health disparities. They will be able to evaluate healthcare systems, economic and social determinants of health, and strategies for translating biomedical innovation into equitable health solutions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Interdisciplinary communication, ethical deployment, and impact measurement will also be addressed.

Content:

• Structures of global health systems and policy development
• Economic development and access to healthcare
• Social determinants of bone and wound health
• Translation of biomedical research into public health interventions
• Intersectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration models
• Health equity in LMICs and rural populations
• Ethical frameworks for technology deployment in underserved contexts

Timeline:  Nov 27^th – Dec 11^th (3 sessions, 2 hours each)

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