📖Program Curriculum
The programme is designed to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to understand various diseases and disorders with a view to producing drug cell or gene-based therapies. You’ll cover the full spectrum of activity from clinical-focused research at the cell-level right through to biotechnology and engineering producing the regenerative products of the future.
You’ll be exposed to real research within various medical fields and cutting-edge molecular techniques in cell and tissue engineering including stem cell engineering tissue engineering with nanomaterials bioreactors 3D bioprinting CRISPR genetic engineering optogenetics and nanomedicine.
The flexible structure of the course enables you to personalise your study according to your interests choosing optional modules from a broad range of subjects which span the disciplines of biology maths and engineering. This coupled with clinical visits specialist seminars and a choice of dissertation projects that span fundamental research to clinical translation of technologies ensures a truly ‘bench to bedside’ approach.
Interacting with active researchers clinicians and practitioners also gives you a greater appreciation of the context in which healthcare engineering operates including vital safety environmental and economic concerns for instance in relation to medical devices and technology services.
The MSc Cell and Tissue Engineering can be studied as either a one year full-time or a two year part-time course usually starting in September. We also have an additional intake in January. You will complete 180 credits to obtain the master’s qualification comprising seven compulsory modules and two optional modules. This includes the core Project Dissertation module which accounts for 60 credits. There are also two interim awards available depending on how many modules (and credits) have been successfully completed: a Postgraduate Certificate for 60 credits; and a Postgraduate Diploma for 120 credits. For January intake (students starting from Semester 2 in January) students will proceed as per module and assessment schedule in the respective semesters of a standard September start except that for these students course runs from January to December (exception to MTE-40055 assessment outlined below).
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Core modules
MTE-40028 Stem Cells: Types Characteristics and Applications (15 credits Semester 1)
The field of stem cell biology is fast-paced with state-of-the-art research being competitively conducted across the world. On this module you’ll draw on up-to-date international research in stem cell biology to build your knowledge from basic principles of stem cell isolation and differentiation right through to the latest therapeutic use of stem cells trending in the field. The lecture series is delivered by leading academic researchers. To complement your understanding of the knowledge learned in class you'll be trained in advanced practical skills in a state-of-the-art stem cell laboratory using the latest approaches in the field. Gaining a greater appreciation of the diversity of stem cells and their potential this module provides a basic foundation for regenerative medicine.
MTE-40033 Cell and Tissue Engineering (15 credits Semester 1)
Cell and tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving discipline which promises to change the way clinicians deliver therapies and treat disorders of various kinds from bone tissue engineering to skin grafts. Highlighting the latest research findings in engineering various cells tissues and organs you’ll be introduced to current concepts and methods used to apply and evaluate stimulus to cells to construct bioartificial tissues in vitro or alter cell growth and function in vivo by implanting donor tissue or biocompatible materials.
MTE-40022 Bioreactors and Growth Environments (15 credits Semester 2)
The global bioreactors market is predicted to grow 14% between 2022 to 2029; fuelled by increases in conditions like arthritis cancer and diabetes and the resulting demand for effective vaccines and treatments. This module covers the design principles and functionality of bioreactors used for example to grow organisms for cell development and product formation. As well as demonstrations on the workings of a range of research laboratory and good manufacturing practice (GMP) grade bioreactor systems used in academia and industry you’ll be introduced to current real-world applications of bioreactors in regenerative medicine through a series of seminar-style presentations from national and international renowned researchers and industry. As part of the module Keele hosts a renowned workshop that includes talks on a variety of bioreactors used for therapy research and in industry which also attracts national and international external participants culminating in a 'design your own bioreactor' activity.
MTE-40036 Biomaterials (15 credits Semester 2)
Taking a multidisciplinary approach this module provides an overview of all types of materials natural and synthetic used in biological environments to support enhance or replace damaged tissue or a biological function. It explains the fundamental aspects of biomaterials from a materials perspective but with particular focus on their use and potential wear within a biological ‘host’. You will develop a systematic knowledge ranging from the physical structure and chemical properties of biomaterials to how they interact with biological tissues during implantation for example in the case of skin grafts heart valves and hip replacements. This will help you learn how materials are assessed within the clinic and how material properties can be altered/engineered to produce biomaterials with enhanced abilities and properties.
MTE-40039 Experimental Research Methodology (15 credits semester 1-2)
Developing the academic skillset required for your master’s research and future scientific career you’ll gain a strong grounding in appropriate level literature search academic writing statistical evaluation and manipulation of data. From learning how to take notes in research seminars to managing your time efficiently in written examinations and writing a comprehensive literature review this module addresses your personal and professional development. Research seminars provide direct access to innovative research with students introduced to trending research topics in areas of cancer neuroscience heart lung drug development nanomaterials medical device and biomedical engineering by national and international speakers. The module also includes a statistics workshop and sessions to improve soft skills to support the theoretical and practical aspects of the course.
MTE-40055 Disease Modelling & Therapy for Regenerative Medicine (15 credits Semester 1-2)
This recently added core module in the MSc Cell & Tissue Engineering portfolio draws upon the current trends in Regenerative Medicine research by applying translational cell biology for personalised medicine through disease modelling and therapy. This capstone module captures key elements from the many CTE core modules and aims to connect student learning and entrepreneurial skills for addressing demands of the Regenerative Medicine field. This is a fast-paced area of medicine in the 21st century with the global regenerative medicine market size expected to reach USD 172.15 billion by 2030 in response to the growing demand for novel regenerative therapies. Through translational learning and entrepreneurial skills which this module offers it exposes students to creative ideas for addressing current diseases and their treatments using relevant disease models and using cell gene and drug therapies. The students are broadly assessed on their application of knowledge through case studies and skills acquired through a practical session on cutting-edge CRISPR gene engineering. The vocational aspect through a business plan delivers practical awareness of strategies regulations and policies to take their innovative ideas of chosen model/therapy to market and defend their ideas in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition in front of a panel of experts from industry academia and clinic. Entrepreneurial training is supported by attending the nationally-acclaimed YES programme (The Young Entrepreneurs Scheme) that all students will automatically enrol into on admission to this course. For January intake (students starting from Semester 2 in January) students taking MTE-40055 will have their assessments in final semester.
MTE-40015 Project (Dissertation) (60 credits Semester 3)
Representing the culmination of your studies the Project provides an exciting opportunity to undertake laboratory-based research under the supervision of an expert in an agreed field of interest based here in the Research Institute a local hospital or within a collaborating industrial partner or clinical team. Applying the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course you will design conduct research and produce a 15000-20000-word dissertation. Projects cover a span of research interests related to Keele expertise in the fields of stem cells biomaterials heart and lung disease models genetics cancer biology neuroscience and drug development/screening.
Optional modules
You will choose two optional modules from the following:
MTE-40023 Biomechanics (15 credits Semester 1)
Biomechanics involves studying the structure materials function and motion of biological systems at a cellular level identifying favourable properties such as load-bearing capacity and changes that occur naturally or as a result of chemical and other reactions. Discovering how and why organisms behave the way they do can inform new synthetic and engineered designs for example when treating cancer. This module offers an applied perspective on biomechanics at an advanced level for example analysing forces transmitted to cells at skeletal joints or bone. In an experimental workshop you'll gain hands-on experience mechanically testing bone.MTE-30003 Engineering for Medical Applications (15 credits Semester 1)You will cover the fundamentals of mechanics electronics and electromagnetism necessary to understand the application of relevant physical and engineering principles to medicine and biology. Ideal for students who are transitioning from a non-physics/maths/engineering background you’ll learn to apply mathematical concepts to engineering and numerical modelling for biology including differential calculus indices exponentials and logarithms. Applying the theory you learn to practical measurement you’ll take part in a workshop-based project for example to conduct an experiment to measure grip strength.
MTE-40024 Human Physiology and Anatomy (15 credits Semester 1)
Setting the foundation in a biological context in preparation for the study of more advanced topics this module provides you with a broad knowledge of human physiology and anatomy. You’ll develop your understanding of the structure and function of major tissue types organs and systems how their physiology is assessed and what happens in the context of disease.
MTE-40029 Medical Equipment and Technology Services Management (15 credits Semester 1)
Medical devices play a key role in healthcare vital for diagnosis therapy monitoring rehabilitation and care. Effective management and maintenance is critical to ensure high quality patient care and satisfy clinical and financial governance. You will gain an insight into technology management processes that allow healthcare providers to make the best use of their medical equipment and technology services limiting clinical and financial risk. You’ll learn about the lifecycle of medical equipment and the role of clinical engineers in ensuring its safe and effective management comparing and evaluating different models of equipment maintenance. You’ll also be introduced to the legislation and obligations of the various health professionals involved as part of good clinical governance.
PHA-40236 Biotechnology and Omics (15 credits Semester 1)
This module provides students a platform for bridging basic understanding in molecular techniques or data science to advanced biotechnology and multi-omics methods. The exposure to current trends and training in the module provide students with advanced understanding and skills to apply their knowledge in future for precision medicine a trend in regenerative medicine biomedical pharmaceutical and healthcare fields. The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures tutorials and practical with interactive pedagogical sessions to support their learning. Students will be exposed to conventional or state-of-the-art techniques in gene and cell engineering including CRISPR/RNA engineering 3D bioprinting protein and antibody engineering etc. Multi-omics approaches studied will include genomics metabolomics proteomics etc for purpose of disease stratification and personalized medicine. Practical will focus on a biotechnological approach (qPCR or metabolomics etc) for applying their learning.
MTE-40026 Physiological Measurements (15 credits Semester 1)
Learning why and how physiological processes of humans are measured and monitored this module aims to improve your analytical skills in different physiological measurement diagnostics and therapy techniques. Studying the basic principles of biological sensing within research and clinical environments you’ll be given demonstrations and hands-on use of devices commonly used for physiological measurement such as the use of biomedical transducers biosensors devices for oscillometry ECG (electrocardiogram) and EOG (electrooculography). To help you better understand how to select appropriate biological tests and devices you will discuss and evaluate the different instrumentation used to assess specific anatomical structures such as the heart and lungs to measure their physiological properties by medics and in biomedical research.
MTE-40031 Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysing (15 credits Semester 2)
All living things from cells to organisms deliver signals of biological origin which can be electric mechanical or chemical. Analysing these signals can provide clinical biochemical or pharmaceutically relevant information to improve medical diagnosis either for patient monitoring and biomedical research. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of signal and image processing applying theory to practical examples learning to filter signals of interest from noisy redundant background data.
MTE-40034 Cell Biomechanics (15 credits Semester 2)
Research into the relationship between the biological function and architecture of cells and their behaviour is providing new perspectives on the role of biomechanics in disease for example in cancer. You’ll be given an overview of modern techniques for both clinical and in vitro cell biomechanics giving you a firm knowledge and understanding of the interrelationship between mechanics and cell biology. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply constitutive models to experimental data gaining some direct insight into the application of cell biomechanics in cell/tissue engineering and biomedical engineering.
MTE-40038 Medical Device Design Principles (15 credits Semester 2)
You will develop your understanding of the systems engineering approach to medical device design including the role of ergonomics in the design of safe and reliable medical devices. You’ll learn the importance of standards and regulations for medical device design gaining an overview of aspects of the mechanical electrical and software components of medical devices.
MTE-40030 Nanomagnetics in Nanomedicine (15 credits Semester 2)
The application of nanotechnologies in particular the use of nanoparticles to improve the behaviour of drug substances is being used globally to improve the treatments for patients suffering from disorders including ovarian and breast cancer kidney disease fungal infections and more. Now the sub-field of nanomagnetics is playing a major role in the development of new technologies for the assessment and therapeutic treatment of biological tissues. For example rapidly reversing the magnetic field of nanoparticles injected into a tumour generates enough heat to kill cancer cells. Delivered through a series of lectures working at the interface of physics and biology this module introduces you to the theoretical concepts of nanomagnetism and the state-of-the-art research in this field.
The Development of Biopharmaceuticals module run by MSc Pharmacutical Development with Business Management in our School recognises the importance of biopharmaceuticals within the pharma industry preparing you to contribute to this growing market upon graduation. According to global consultants McKinsey biopharmaceuticals could become the core of the future pharmaceutical industry. By far the fastest-growing part of the industry: biopharma’s current annual growth rate of more than 8% is double that of conventional pharma and growth is expected to continue at that rate for the foreseeable future. This module sets students up for knowledge and essential practical skills for the biopharmaceutical industry in line with protein engineering for cells or therapies. Students will gain hands on experience working with industry standard laboratory equipment for protein science and appreciate its value in Regenerative Medicine.
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