Cellule staminali e medicina rigenerativa
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the broadest and most integrated framework of
biological processes underlying the development and differentiation of different tissues and the
comprehension of the pathophysiological aspects of some of the most common genetic and non-
genetic diseases. This teaching also provides for a broad knowledge of the basic approaches to
Regenerative Medicine such as Gene and Cell Therapy. The goal is to train students on recent
discoveries in this area and implement their communication and critical skills.
biological processes underlying the development and differentiation of different tissues and the
comprehension of the pathophysiological aspects of some of the most common genetic and non-
genetic diseases. This teaching also provides for a broad knowledge of the basic approaches to
Regenerative Medicine such as Gene and Cell Therapy. The goal is to train students on recent
discoveries in this area and implement their communication and critical skills.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have learned 1) the main and most well-known molecular
mechanisms underlying the differentiation of a tissue 2) the pathophysiological mechanisms
underlying the most common genetic and not genetic diseases 3) the characteristics and potency of
stem cells and the use of an integrated approach among cellular, genetic and pharmacological
approach in the treatment of human pathologies.
mechanisms underlying the differentiation of a tissue 2) the pathophysiological mechanisms
underlying the most common genetic and not genetic diseases 3) the characteristics and potency of
stem cells and the use of an integrated approach among cellular, genetic and pharmacological
approach in the treatment of human pathologies.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
· Specification, Determination, and Cellular Differentiation: definition, molecular mechanisms, reversibility, normal and pathological differentiation (metaplasia, anaplasia)
· Regenerative Medicine: principles, historical background, applications
· Clinical Trial: definition and development
· Gene Therapy: principles, historical background, and approaches (gene editing; gene targeting, gene replacement); viral and non-viral vectors in gene therapy; applications
· Cellular Therapies: historical background, principles; primary and stabilized cell cultures
· Cell Transplantation: administration routes, "homing," survival, morphological and functional integration into host tissue, functional recovery, inflammatory and immune response to transplantation
· From Preclinical Experimentation to Clinical Trials and Routine Practice
· Stem Cells, Progenitors, and Differentiated Cells: tissue turnover; the origin of embryonic and post-embryonic stem cells during development; a single cell for all tissues; embryonic and reprogrammed stem cells; cloning; therapeutic perspectives and remaining challenges: iPS; adult stem cells
· Tissue Regeneration: loss of regenerative capacity throughout vertebrate evolution; which tissues regenerate and why
· Animal Transgenesis: current regulations, methods for generating knock-in, knock-out, and null animal models in Mus musculus
· Epithelia: epithelial stem cells; regenerative medicine in genetic and acquired epithelial diseases
· Skeletal Muscle Tissue: satellite cells and other progenitors; regenerative medicine in genetic diseases of skeletal muscle
· Cardiac Muscle Tissue: stem cells and progenitors; cellular therapy for myocardial infarction and chronic cardiomyopathies
· Blood and Lymphatic Vessels: endothelial progenitors; angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis
· Bone Marrow and Blood: regenerative medicine in congenital immunodeficiencies
· Central and Peripheral Nervous System: regenerative medicine in Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Huntington's disease
· Pancreas and Diabetes: cellular therapies
· Regenerative Medicine: principles, historical background, applications
· Clinical Trial: definition and development
· Gene Therapy: principles, historical background, and approaches (gene editing; gene targeting, gene replacement); viral and non-viral vectors in gene therapy; applications
· Cellular Therapies: historical background, principles; primary and stabilized cell cultures
· Cell Transplantation: administration routes, "homing," survival, morphological and functional integration into host tissue, functional recovery, inflammatory and immune response to transplantation
· From Preclinical Experimentation to Clinical Trials and Routine Practice
· Stem Cells, Progenitors, and Differentiated Cells: tissue turnover; the origin of embryonic and post-embryonic stem cells during development; a single cell for all tissues; embryonic and reprogrammed stem cells; cloning; therapeutic perspectives and remaining challenges: iPS; adult stem cells
· Tissue Regeneration: loss of regenerative capacity throughout vertebrate evolution; which tissues regenerate and why
· Animal Transgenesis: current regulations, methods for generating knock-in, knock-out, and null animal models in Mus musculus
· Epithelia: epithelial stem cells; regenerative medicine in genetic and acquired epithelial diseases
· Skeletal Muscle Tissue: satellite cells and other progenitors; regenerative medicine in genetic diseases of skeletal muscle
· Cardiac Muscle Tissue: stem cells and progenitors; cellular therapy for myocardial infarction and chronic cardiomyopathies
· Blood and Lymphatic Vessels: endothelial progenitors; angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis
· Bone Marrow and Blood: regenerative medicine in congenital immunodeficiencies
· Central and Peripheral Nervous System: regenerative medicine in Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Huntington's disease
· Pancreas and Diabetes: cellular therapies
Prerequisites for admission
It is recommended to have acquired basic skills in cellular and molecular biology and in the developmental biology
Teaching methods
Teaching method based on interactive frontal lessons supported by projected material (slides as power point presentations). Students will be stimulated to actively participate in the lesson / discussion to improve their critical skills, analyzing the literature and communicating the concepts in appropriate way. Frequency mode: strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
Reference Book: Gilbert- Barresi Biologia dello Sviluppo- Zanichelli
Materials: ppt slides described during the lessons and research and review articles concerning the topics will be loaded on ARIEL and the Professor Teams group web-site.
Materials: ppt slides described during the lessons and research and review articles concerning the topics will be loaded on ARIEL and the Professor Teams group web-site.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be divided into a first 1hour-written part which includes both open (1 question) and multiple-choice questions (5 questions) and a following oral evaluation, upon passing the written (access grade 18). Each part will contribute equally (50%) to the final evaluation/score. The exam aims to evaluate the knowledge acquired and the student's ability to solve biological problems based on the topics covered in the course.
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment (email)
Torre C 7th floor