02625 - Embryology

Learning outcomes

At the end 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.
The student will learn the methods to obtain stem cells from extra-embryonic tissues (fetal membranes, umbilical cord) and adult tissues as bone marrow.

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:
mesenchymal and epithelial isolation from extraembryo tissue

Readings/Bibliography

Armato U. ed altri autori EMBRIOLOGIA UMANA Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi
De Felice M. EMBRIOLOGIA UMANA Ed. Piccin
Sadler T.W. EMBRIOLOGIA MEDICA di LANGMAN Elsevier
Barbieri M:, Carinci P. EMBRIOLOGIA Ed. CEA

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and individual working in cell culture lab

Assessment methods

Oral exams about program subjects.
Written lab report has to be send by e-mail some days before the oral exam.
The online registration to the examination is mandatory.

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Laura Bonsi