B9704 - STEM CELLS AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has basic knowledge of the biology of embryonic, somatic and induced pluripotent stem cells, including the cell cycle, the mechanisms of cell division and differentiation, the genetic determinants of stemness, the role of the in situ niche. He/she knows the fundamentals of the biology, physiology and physiopathology of hematopoietic, epithelial and neural stem cells in adult tissues, and of mesenchymal stromal cells. He/she has the ability to critically evaluate literature and protocols for the isolation and maintenance of totipotency and differentiation of embryonic stem cells and for the reprogramming of somatic cells. He/she knows the theoretical and technical bases for the creation of complex in vitro cellular systems, such as spheroids, organoids, “organ-on-chip”, and their use in the study of the physiopathology of diseases and in pharmaceutical development. He/she knows the theoretical and technical bases for the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and cell therapies, and for reparative medicine starting from endogenous stem cells, and the state of the art on the translation into clinical practice.

Course contents

Part 1. Stem and pluripotent cells

Definitions of toti-, multipotency, differentiation, terminal differentiation, de-differentiation; somatic embryonic and adult stem cells. Chronology of major discoveries. 2 hours

Embryonic stem cells: totipotency, pluripotency, multipotency, differentiation, terminal differentiation, dedifferentiation; cell cycle and asymmetric division; lineage determinants. 3 hours

Cell reprogramming: nuclear transfer and gene reprogramming. 3 hours

3D cultures, spheroids, organoids, axmbloids, Organ-on-a-chip. 2 hours

Adult stem cells: localizations, the vascular “niche,” cellular and acellular constituents, normal niche and pathological niche. Asymmetric division: cell polarity and role of the niche. Role of Numb and Notch. Omics in the study of somatic stem cells 2 hours

Skin stem cells. Holoclones, meroclones and paraclones. Role in skin homeostasis and wound repair. 2 hours

Gut stem cells. The niche in the intestinal crypt; timing of renewal of different cell types, mechanisms of migration from crypt to villus. Wnt-beta-catenin signaling; Ephrin signaling. role of Paneth cells. 2 hours

Hematopoietic stem cells: niche composition and regulation of stemness (angiopoietic, Ca++, Shh). 2 hours

Mesenchymal stem cells: in vivo and in vitro characteristics, adult tissues of origin. Spontaneous and induced differentiation. Paracrine properties. 2 hours

Stem cells from placental and adnexal tissues (amnion, umbilical cord, cord blood, amniotic fluid, placenta). Cord banking: technical aspects, regulations, and impact for regenerative medicine. 2 hours

Neural stem cells. The “neurosphere” system. Neurogenic regions in the adult Central Nervous System; “numbers,” role and regulation of neurogenesis in adulthood. Integration of new neurons into pre-existing circuits: olfactory bulb and hippocampal dentate gyrus. Neurogenesis in pathological brains. 2 hours

 

Part 2. Regenerative Medicine

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: introduction and definitions, 2 hours

In vitro development of cells and tissues, Bioreactors and physicochemical stimuli, 2 hours

Cell therapies and transplantation, homing and engrafting. 2 hours

Cell therapy for diabetes. 2 hours

Regenerative medicine for skin (ulcers, burns, bullous epidermolysis), 2 hours

Regenerative medicine for bone tendon cartilage, 2 hours

Regenerative medicine for myocardium, 2 hours

Regenerative medicine for traumatic and vascular injuries of the nervous system, 2 hours

Readings/Bibliography

Stem cells, Gian Paolo Bagnara, Laura Bonsi, Francesco Alviano, Esculapio, 2025

Stem Cells Scientific Facts and Fiction, Christine L. Mummery, Anja van de Stolpe, Bernard Roelen, Hans Clevers, Elesevier, 2021

Teaching methods

Lectures, group discussions, journal club.


Students are advised that due to recent University directives, it will not be possible to take the course in alternative modes to attendance (teams), except in specific situations that must be properly documented and approved by the University prior to the start of classes.


Recordings of the lectures will not be available

Assessment methods

Short PowerPoint presentation (10 min) of a topic of the Student's choice from those covered in lecture or agreed with the lecturer and related discussion; question at Lecturer's discretion on the remaining part of the program covered in lecture. The examination is intended to be joint for the two parts of the course.


Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the responsible Athenaeum office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) in good time: it will be its care to propose to the interested students any possible adaptations, which must in any case be submitted, 15 days in advance, to the approval of the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness also in relation to the educational objectives of the teaching.

Teaching tools

The ppt presentations used in class will be available on the dedicated spaces.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Calzà