Differentiation Biology and Cell Therapies
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the broadest and most integrated framework of biological processes underlying the development and differentiation of different tissues and the comprehension of the pathophysiological aspects of some of the most common genetic and non-genetic diseases. This teaching also provides for a broad knowledge of the basic approaches to Regenerative Medicine such as Gene and Cell Therapy. The goal is to train students on recent discoveries in this area and implement their communication and critical skills.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have learned 1) the main and most well-known molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation of a tissue 2) the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the most common genetic and not genetic diseases 3) the characteristics and potency of stem cells and the use of an integrated approach among cellular, genetic and pharmacological approach in the treatment of human pathologies.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
-Cell differentiation: definition, molecular mechanisms, survival, normal and pathological differentiation, (metaplasia, anaplasia).
-Cell Therapy: Backgroun. Current approaches and Prospects of cell therapy.
- Stem cells, progenitors and differentiated cells. Tissue turnover. The origin of embryonic stem cells and during post-embryonic development. iPS.
-Tissue regeneration.
-Epithelia. The epithelial stem cells. Cell and gene therapy for genetic and acquired diseases of epithelia.
-Cartilage and bone. The stem cells of the bone. Cell therapy for cartilage and bone.
-The skeletal muscle tissue. Satellite cells and other progenitors. Stem cell therapy for genetic diseases of skeletal muscle.
-The cardiac muscle tissue. Stem cells and progenitors. Stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction and chronic cardiomyopathy.
-The blood and lymph vessels. The endothelial progenitors. Angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis.
-The bone marrow and blood. Cell and gene therapy of congenital and acquired diseases of the blood.
-The central nervous system and peripheral. Cell and gene therapy. Parkinson' disease, Multiple Sclerosis, SLA, Huntington's disease.
-A cell for all tissues: Embryonic stem cells and iPS. Cloning. Therapeutic perspectives and remaining problems.
- Pancreas and Diabetes: cell therapies
- Cell-transplantation. The administration routes, l '"homing", the survival, morphological and functional integration into the host tissue, the functional recovery, the inflammatory and immune response to transplantation.
-From pre-clinical to clinical trials and clinical routine.
-Cell Therapy: Backgroun. Current approaches and Prospects of cell therapy.
- Stem cells, progenitors and differentiated cells. Tissue turnover. The origin of embryonic stem cells and during post-embryonic development. iPS.
-Tissue regeneration.
-Epithelia. The epithelial stem cells. Cell and gene therapy for genetic and acquired diseases of epithelia.
-Cartilage and bone. The stem cells of the bone. Cell therapy for cartilage and bone.
-The skeletal muscle tissue. Satellite cells and other progenitors. Stem cell therapy for genetic diseases of skeletal muscle.
-The cardiac muscle tissue. Stem cells and progenitors. Stem cell therapy for myocardial infarction and chronic cardiomyopathy.
-The blood and lymph vessels. The endothelial progenitors. Angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis.
-The bone marrow and blood. Cell and gene therapy of congenital and acquired diseases of the blood.
-The central nervous system and peripheral. Cell and gene therapy. Parkinson' disease, Multiple Sclerosis, SLA, Huntington's disease.
-A cell for all tissues: Embryonic stem cells and iPS. Cloning. Therapeutic perspectives and remaining problems.
- Pancreas and Diabetes: cell therapies
- Cell-transplantation. The administration routes, l '"homing", the survival, morphological and functional integration into the host tissue, the functional recovery, the inflammatory and immune response to transplantation.
-From pre-clinical to clinical trials and clinical routine.
Prerequisites for admission
It is recommended to have acquired basic skills in cellular and molecular biology and in the developmental biology
Teaching methods
Teaching method based on interactive frontal lessons supported by projected material (slides as power point presentations). Students will be stimulated to actively participate in the lesson / discussion to improve their critical skills, analyzing the literature and communicating the concepts in appropriate way. Frequency mode: strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
Reference Book: Gilbert- Barresi Biologia dello Sviluppo- Zanichelli
Materials: ppt slides described during the lessons and research and review articles concerning the topics will be loaded on ARIEL Professor web-site.
Materials: ppt slides described during the lessons and research and review articles concerning the topics will be loaded on ARIEL Professor web-site.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be divided into a first 1hour-written part which includes both open (1 question) and multiple-choice questions (5 questions) and a following oral evaluation, upon passing the written (access grade 18). Each part will contribute equally (50%) to the final evaluation/score. The exam aims to evaluate the knowledge acquired and the student's ability to solve biological problems based on the topics covered in the course.
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment (email)
Torre C 7th floor