02625 - Embryology

Learning outcomes

This teaching will provide: the general knowledge on human embryology, progress report about embryonic stem cells and human pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells, in particular the molecular mechanisms on in vitro differentiation towards osteogenic, chondrogenic steatogenic, hemo angiogenic, myogenic, myocardiogenic and neurogenic lineages.
Lab practical (cell cultures and molecular biology) will complete this training.

Course contents

• Preliminar lesson: extraembryonic tissues for isolatine pluripotent human mesenchymal stem cells.
• First and second weeks of the human prenatal development: proliferative stage, bilaminar disc, primitive placenta circulation.
• Third and fourth weeks of the human prenatal development: gastrulation, trilaminar embryo, somite and neural tube development, embryo folding.
• Fetal membranes: placenta, amnion, corion; in vitro cell culture.
• Embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells
• Fetal hematopoiesis and bone marrow congenital dysplasias
• Osteogenesis and chondrogenesis in vitro
• Muscle development and myogenesis in vitro
Lab program
•    Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro from human placenta, amnion and corion: observation of placenta structure, membrane separation, tissue digestion, plating of cell suspension and biopsy
•    Cytofluorimetric characterization by means monoclonal antibodies
•    Induction to different lineages

Readings/Bibliography

Barbieri, Carinci "EMBRIOLOGIA" casa editrice Ambrosiana.
Moore, Persaud "LO SVILUPPO PRENATALE DELL'UOMO" casa editrice EdiSES.

Teaching methods

The course has two parts, 16 hours on theory and 15 hours practical

Assessment methods

This teaching is one part of the course on “human reproduction and
genetic bases of hereditary diseases.” the oral exam is
inseparable from the other parts.
Each student must present a written report about the lab experience.

Teaching tools

TV projector, overhead projector, PC

Office hours

See the website of Gian Paolo Bagnara