Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Laura Bonsi
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: BIO/17
  • Language: Italian

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the molecular pathways that control the degree of staminality and stem cell differentiation potential by comparing the phenotypic markers of pluripotent stem cells and those of the adult. The practical laboratory activity, concerning the isolation of stem cells, allows the student to be able to apply the methods for the in vitro preparation of cellular models useful for defining their molecular characteristics.


Course contents

Part I - Prof. Laura Bonsi (3 UC – frontal lectures)

Introduction to the course. Definition of stemness and cell therapy.

Early development of fertilized human egg.

Hematopoiesis and hemopoietic Stem Cell transplantation in the hematological diseases.

Pancreas Rigeneration: pancreatic islets transplantation and diabetes.

Bone and Cartilage Regeneration.

Resident angiogenic mesenchymal stem cells from multiorgan donor.

Stem Cells and cardiogenesis

Skeletal muscle regeneration.

Neural stem cells and the role of neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases.

Cancer Stem Cells

Part II – Prof. Francesco Alviano (2 UC – frontal lectures; 1 UC – Laboratory)

Embryonic stem cells: phenotypic characterization and therapeutic potential.

Adult stem cells: phenotypic characterization, multipotential ability and differences between Adult and Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Extraembryonic Tissues as sources of Perinatal Stem Cells.

Epithelial Stem Cells. The physiological regeneration of the skin. Functional recovery with cell therapy in case of burns and skin ulcers.

Immunomodulatory characteristics and tolerogenic ability of mesenchymal stem cells.

Tag-less microfluidic stem cell sorting methods.

Lab experience consists in individual work at Cell Culture Laboratory:

1- Demonstration of human term placenta

2 - Human mesenchymal cell isolation from amniotic and chorionic membranes

3 - Human epithelial cell isolation from amniotic membrane

4 – Morphological evaluation of the cell cultures obtained and discussion of research findings

Readings/Bibliography

G.P. Bagnara, Cellule Staminali, Ed. Esculapio
Scientific papers recommended during the lessons.


Teaching methods

Frontal lectures given by the teachers of the modules.
Seminars given by researchers employed in different subjects.
Experimental practice in Cell Culture Lab of FABIT Department (Navile)


Assessment methods

Oral exams about a subject chosen by the student and another question asked by the teacher; the examination has to ascertain student knowledge about stem cells in regenerative and reparative medicine. The online registration to the examination is mandatory.


Teaching tools

Power point presentations that will be available online as downloadable content.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Bonsi

See the website of Francesco Alviano