02625 - Embryology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know:
-the meccanisms that control the embryogenesis and the human morphogenesis in relationship with abnormalities and malformations.
-the new meccanisms of the embryo process that can answer to traditional development or raise further doubts.
-the subject about embryonic and adult stem cells.

About the practice the student will learn the methods in order to obtain stem cells from perinatal tissues (placenta, fetal membranes, umbilical cord).

Course contents

Oogenesis: from oogonia to oocyte. Functional processes in ovarian follicles. Hormonal control of the female reproductive cycle.
Spermatogenesis and hormonal control of reproduction in the male, the mature spermatozoon.
Fertilization: sperm attraction, activation and penetration. Prevention of polyspermy.
Cleavage and the blastocyst stage. The trophoblast and the inner cell mass.
Implantation and decidual reaction. Two germ layer stage; yolk sac, amniotic cavity and extraembryonic celoma formations.
Gastrulation and the three embryonic germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm) and molecular processes. The neural crest cells.
Craniocaudal and lateral foldings. Formation of intraembryonic coelom.
Placenta and extraembryonic membranes: amniotic membrane, chorion and placenta, umbilical cord, allantois.
Embryonic, fetal and postnatal hematopoiesis. Development of heart. Fetal e postnatal circulation.
Endoderm derivatives: fharyngeal development and respratory system. Facial development
Paraxial mesoderm derivatives: sclerotomes, myotomes and dermatomes. Lateral mesoderm derivatives: limb development.

LABORATORY 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

· Armato U. ed altri autori EMBRIOLOGIA UMANA Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi

· De Felice M. EMBRIOLOGIA UMANA Ed. Piccin

· Moore K.L. e Persaud T.V.N. LO SVILUPPO PRENATALE DELL'UOMO ed Edra

· Sadler T.W. EMBRIOLOGIA MEDICA di LANGMAN Elsevier

· Barbieri M:, Carinci P. EMBRIOLOGIA Ed. CEA

Teaching methods

The course consists of 3 UC including 2 UC frontal lessons which aim to make students acquire the topics described in detail in the program and 1 UC (15 hours) of individual working in cell culture laboratory of FABIT Dept. where 26 laminar flow cabinets are available.

 

 

 

Assessment methods

The final mark of the Embryology Course, defined by an oral exam, will be mediated with the one reported in the Medical Genomics.

The online registration to the examination is mandatory.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations that will be available online as dowloadable content. Username and password will be reported during the first lesson introducing the course.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Bonsi