Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to review fundamentals and provide an up-to-date account of current knowledge in biology and pathophysiology of articular cartilage tissue focusing on the cartilage repairing. With a practical approach during the lab classes the students will acquire a core professional training in primary cell culture methods and techniques and also they will acquire capacity to apply systems to culture articular chondrocytes and to maintain chondrocyte differentiation.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Osteochondrogenesi (Module A) 5 CFU
Lecturer: Prof. Paolo Borghetti (VET/03)
[3 CFU of theoretical lessons (24 hours) + 2 CFU of lab activity (16 hours)]
A) Theory:
Anatomy , histology and biomechanics of articular joints. Structure, biology and metabolism of the articular cartilage. The molecular basis of chondrocyte differentiation and chondrogenesis. Patogenesis of osteoarthritis and physiopathology of the tissue cartilage metabolism. Biomaterials for cartilage reparing.
B) Laboratory activity:
1) Isolation of chondrocytes from articular cartilage tissue.
2) Adhesion and be- and three-dimensional models of primary chondrocyte culture.
3) Tecnique for the maintainance of the differentiation of articular chondrocytes in culture.
Full programme
A)Theory.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of chondrogenesis. Histology and molecular structure of the articular cartilage and the joint components. Molecular basis of chondogenesis.
Pathogenetic mechanisms of the cartilage degeneration and damage during osteoarthritis.
The repair of the articular cartilage;
Biotecnologiy for cartilage rigeneration and repair:
1) chondrocyte culture for espansion and differentiation in vitro;
2) Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation;
3) Stem cells application;
Biomaterials for chondrocyte growth and adaptation and cartilage repair.
B)Practicals:
1) Isolation and culture of articular chondrocytes;
2) Culture system for chondrogenesis and the maintainance of chondrocyte differentiation in vitro (be- ands three dimensional sustems application);
3) Molecular tecniques for the evaluation of chondrocyte differentiation.
Bibliography
1) Scientific reviews on the topics of the course
2) Lab experimental protocols
Teaching methods
Classroom theoretical lectures (24 hours) and laboratory activity (16 hours)
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination
Other information
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