Aim
From the Sea to the Lab: Understanding the Potential of Marine Biomaterials introduces biomaterials derived from marine sources and their use in biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and environmental applications. Learn extraction methods, characterization, functional testing, safety basics, and product translation concepts.
Program Objectives
- Marine Biomaterials Basics: key sources and material classes.
- Extraction: isolation and purification workflows (overview).
- Characterization: chemical, structural, and mechanical testing basics.
- Functional Use: gels, films, scaffolds, and drug delivery concepts.
- Bioactivity: antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory concepts.
- Safety: biocompatibility and quality risks.
- Sustainability: sourcing, waste valorization, circular use.
- Capstone: design a marine biomaterial application plan.
Program Structure
Module 1: Why Marine Biomaterials?
- Marine biodiversity as a materials library.
- Advantages: biocompatibility, functionality, availability (overview).
- Challenges: variability, impurities, standardization.
- Ethical sourcing and sustainability basics.
Module 2: Major Marine Biomaterials and Sources
- Polysaccharides: alginate, carrageenan, agar (overview).
- Chitin/chitosan from crustacean shells (overview).
- Collagen/gelatin from marine organisms (overview).
- Bioactive compounds: peptides, pigments, lipids (intro).
Module 3: Extraction and Purification (Workflow View)
- Pre-treatment: washing, drying, grinding.
- Extraction methods: acid/base, enzymatic, solvent-based (overview).
- Purification: filtration, precipitation, dialysis (overview).
- Quality checks: yield, purity, batch consistency.
Module 4: Characterization and Quality
- Chemical characterization: FTIR/UV concepts, composition checks.
- Structural characterization: XRD/SEM concepts (overview).
- Rheology and gel strength concepts.
- Stability: pH, temperature, ionic strength.
Module 5: Functional Forms and Processing
- Hydrogels, films, fibers, foams (overview).
- Crosslinking and blending concepts.
- Encapsulation and controlled release basics.
- 3D printing with marine biomaterials (intro).
Module 6: Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications
- Wound dressings and hemostatic materials (overview).
- Tissue engineering scaffolds (intro).
- Drug delivery carriers and mucoadhesion concepts.
- Medical device coatings and antimicrobial surfaces (overview).
Module 7: Food, Cosmetics, and Environmental Applications
- Food additives, stabilizers, edible films (overview).
- Cosmeceuticals: hydration and bioactive delivery concepts.
- Water treatment: biosorption and flocculation concepts.
- Biodegradable packaging and circular bioeconomy.
Module 8: Safety, Regulation, and Translation
- Biocompatibility basics and contamination risks.
- Allergen and endotoxin considerations (overview).
- Standardization and documentation basics.
- Scale-up, sourcing, and supply chain concepts.
Final Project
- Select one marine biomaterial (e.g., alginate, chitosan, marine collagen).
- Deliverables: sourcing plan + extraction workflow + characterization checklist + application prototype plan.
- Submit: short project report with use-case and testing plan.
Participant Eligibility
- Students/professionals in Biotechnology, Materials Science, Pharmacy, Chemical/Biomedical Engineering
- Researchers in biomaterials, drug delivery, tissue engineering
- Basic chemistry/biology helpful
Program Outcomes
- Identify major marine biomaterials and their properties.
- Plan extraction, purification, and characterization workflows.
- Match materials to biomedical, food, or environmental use cases.
- Create a portfolio-ready marine biomaterials project report.
Program Deliverables
- e-LMS Access: lessons, templates.
- Toolkit: extraction checklist, characterization sheet, application planning template.
- Assessment: certification after capstone submission.
- e-Certification and e-Marksheet: digital credentials.
Future Career Prospects
- Biomaterials Research Associate
- Bioproduct Development Trainee
- Biomedical Materials Analyst
- R&D Associate (Biopolymers)
Job Opportunities
- Biotech/Pharma: biomaterials and drug delivery R&D.
- Medical Devices: wound care and coating development teams.
- Food/Cosmetics: hydrocolloids and functional ingredient teams.
- Environmental: bio-based water treatment and packaging companies.
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