72722 - Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine

Course contents

Part 1 (Prof Luciana Giardino)

Stem Cells: Introduction and definitions

Embryonic stem cells, asymmetric division, cell cycle, genes of totipotency and differentiation

Adult/somatic stem cells: the niche 

Cell reprogramming: iPCs

Stem cells from the placenta and appendages (properties, isolation and expansion)

Somatic stem cells: hematopoietic and mesenchymal (properties, isolation and expansion)

Somatic stem cells: skin and mucous membranes (properties, isolation and expansion)

Somatic stem cells: parenchyma (liver, pancreas) (properties, isolation and expansion)

Neural stem cells: fetal vs adult; niche in the different brain areas; genetic and epigenetic regulation; drugs and diseases (properties, isolation and expansion)

 

Part 2 (Prof Laura Calzà)

 

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: introduction and definitions

Cell therapies and Transplantation

In vitro development of cells and tissues, bioreactors and physical-chemical stimuli

Regenerative medicine for skin (ulcers, burns, epidermolysis bullosa)

Regenerative medicine for bone cartilage tendon

Regenerative medicine for skeletal muscle

Regenerative medicine for myocardial infarction

Regenerative medicine for traumatic injuries and vascular disorders of the nervous system

Regenerative medicine for degenerative nervous system diseases

Regenerative medicine for the eye (the cornea and retina)

Mesenchymal stem cells and immunomodulation

In vitro production of hollow organs

Clinical trials: where we are

Readings/Bibliography

Part 1:

 

Chapters from "Principles of Tissue Engineering", Lanza R, Langer R, Vacanti J

http://stemcells.nih.gov/

Bagnara GP (eds) Cellule staminali, Esculapio, in press

 

Part 2:

Pietrabissa R., Biomateriali per protesi e organi artificiali. Collana di Ingegneria Biomedica diretta da Emanuele Biondi e Claudio Corbelli. Vol.1. Patron Editore, 1996.

 

Di Bello C., Biomateriali. Introduzione allo studio dei materiali per uso biomedico. Collana di Ingegneria Biomedica diretta da Emanuele Biondi e Claudio Corbelli. Vol.9. Patron Editore, 2004.

 

Von Recum A.F.: Handbook of Biomaterials Evaluation: Scientific, Technical, and Clinical Testing of Implant Materials. Seconda edizione, Ed. Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia, PA, 1999.

Teaching methods

Material: the material presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format via the Internet. Such material should be printed and brought to class.

To get educational materials: http://campus.unibo.it/

Username and password are reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna.

Assessment methods

Ooral examinatio.

The knowledge checks will give priority the conceptual aspects than purely notional and will aim to assess the fundamental knowledge of matter, their independent judgment, the ability to learn even with stand-alone tools, the ability to communicate scientific concepts.

Teaching tools

Power-point presentation, laboratory, and surgical rooms

Office hours

See the website of Laura Calzà

See the website of Luciana Giardino