A new class of implantable medical materials, constructed from naturally-derived and renewably-sourced polymers, is poised to transform clinical medicine by providing materials with improved performance and versatility. Biochemical engineering and biomedical engineering, both of which fall under the broad category of biological engineering, are being brought to bear for the development of bio-based polymers as biomedical materials. Toward the goal of a sustainable bio-economy, research in biochemical engineering is increasingly devoted to the development of renewably sourced materials, such as bio-polymers and bio-composites derived from biomass and obtained from agricultural resources or microbial production. At the same time, innovators in biomedical engineering are seeking novel materials for implantable medical devices which will be optimally compatible with the human body. Such optimized materials will have properties of biocompatibility and mechanical tunability that maximize the clinical benefits of the implant. A natural intersect exists between these two areas of emerging research: naturally sourced polymers may be ideal for the design of new biomedical devices, as such polymers can effectively interface with human cells and tissues. Moreover, naturally-derived polymers can allow developing nations to join in the biomedical revolution in ways that were not previously possible. Bio-based polymers can empower developing countries to leverage their own agricultural capabilities to enter the biomedical revolution. This class will discuss the evolving field of bio-based polymers as biomedical implants, and describe examples of success stories in wound closure, tissue repair, and tissue regeneration. The class will describe several specific examples of bio-based materials for biomedical applications from our work. Students will brainstorm potential applications of natural biopolymers for medical applications.