OVERVIEW

This class will offer comprehensive lectures on the basics in stem cell biology as well as more specific information on  functional characterisation of different stem cell populations (from embryonic to adult stem cells, including fetal, perinatal and tissue-specific progenitors, up to induced pluripotent and cancer stem cells) and their relevance in regenerative medicine. Ageing and injury response mechanisms will be discussed along with stem cell trans-differentiation over paracrine potential.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Analysis of stem cell biology, focusing on their differentiation and therapeutic potential (including somatic nuclear transfer and cloning).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Detailed comprehension on specific functional and regenerative properties of different stem cell populations, including some specific mechanisms controlling their activation (i.e. EMT transition), differentiation potential (i.e. therapeutic cloning and reprogramming) and paracrine secretion for intercellular communication. Aspects mostly relevant for future translational medicine will be discussed critically.

PREREQUISITES

Validated knowledge on basic cell biology and on mechanisms of gene expression and regulation.

TEACHING METHODS

Interactive lectures with Power Point slides

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction on stem cell biology.

Embryonic stem cells: functional characterisation and their applications in preclinical research.

Adul stem cells: hematopoietic, neural and epithelial stem cells. Mesenchymal stromal stem cells: tissue origin and their regenerative potential.

Somatic nuclear transfer from amphibians to mammals. Therapeutic cloning.

Induced pluripotent stem cells and reprogramming. Pros and cons in preclinical research and their translational potential.

Fetal and perinatal stem cells: definition of their regenerative potential compared to embryonic and adult stem cells.

Phenotypic and functional characterisation of cancer stem cells.

EMT: Epithelial - Mesenchymal Transition in cell biology.

Tissue-specific adult progenitor cells within the cardiac tissue; an example of EMT in stem cell biology: the epicardium-derived progenitor cells (EPDC).

Tissue-specific adult progenitor cellswithin the skeletal muscle. 

Stem cells, DNA damage & ageing.

Intercellular communication part I: stem cells and paracrine effect in regenerative medicine

Intercellular communication part II: stem cell-secreted extracellular vesicles in regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine 2.0: de-differentiation, trans-differentiation and direct reprogramming.

Journal Club: Oral presentation from groups of students critically discussing assigned research articles related to the topics discussed during class.

Hands On Practice on Cell Biology Laboratory

Multipotent stem cell in vitro culture versus tissue-specific differentiated cell isolation. Isolation and assessment of protein concentration of stem cell secretome. Isolation and general characterisation. Of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles. microRNA isolation from  circulating extracellular vesicle within blood samples.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Peer-reviewed articles published on international journals and notes taken in class.

Lecturers will provided slides at the end of the class as supporting material which must not be either disclosed to third or shared on line or posted on social media

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SVEVA BOLLINI (President)

ROBERTA TASSO (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 1st 2018

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

5 assigned dates during the academic year. Multiple choice test

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be asked to critically discusswith an oral presentation some research articles related to the main topic illustrated during class. Exam will be arranged as a multiple choice test

Exam schedule