Learning objectives
D1 Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will have to know the anatomical-histological bases and the basic principles of biocompatibility in the osteochondrogenic field to understand the rationale behind the choice of experimental models in vitro and in vivo, intended both as study models and as development models for innovative applications.
D2- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student must be able to:
- apply the knowledge acquired to fully understand the experimental model based on the rationale and the cellular and molecular aspects of the process, its potential application in the clinical field in cell therapy and tissue engineering, the analytical methodologies used, advantages and limitations encountered.
- acquire, by the laboratory activity, the skills necessary for the preparation of primary cell cultures of articular chondrocytes and for their differentiating maintenance in three-dimensional systems and for the evaluation of the biocompatibility and chondro-inductive characteristics of films and
D3- Autonomy of opinion
All this will allow the student to have autonomy of decision:
- in evaluating the differences in the use of cellular models, biotechnological techniques and biocompatible biomaterials used for the tissue engineering of articular cartilage.
- strengthen in detail the study of regenerative/reparative medicine of articular cartilage;
- fully understand the meaning of the use of cellular models, biotechnological techniques and biocompatible biomaterials used for the purposes of tissue engineering of articular cartilage.
D4 - Communication skills
The student must be able to explain orally or in writing, in a clear, concise and exhaustive way, using appropriate technical terminology, the fundamental knowledge of the models and biotechnological techniques used for the repair of articular cartilage tissue.
D5 - Learning ability
The student must be able to:
- evaluate the information contained in the scientific literature, i.e. be able to understand and interpret scientific articles in the sector;
- to critically analyze what scientific research has developed in this field.
Prerequisites
NONE
Course unit content
The main content of the Course is "Models for studying the chondrogenesis pathology and the repair of articular cartilage" with molecular and cellular aspects of chondrogenesis, mechanisms of degenerative pathology and reparative response of the tissue, focusing on "in vitro" models of biocompatibility, biomaterials and biotechnological applications aimed at the cartilage regeneration.
The lectures deal with the general aspects of chondrogenesis, biology of synovial joints and articular cartilage and pathophysiology of articular cartilage such as pathogenesis of degenerative and discondroplastic joint diseases (osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis). In a second part, the biological basis of biotechnologic applications for articular cartilage regeneration/repair are treated as follows: chondrocyte differentiation and cellular models used in the innovative biotechnology techniques applied for tissue regeneration (tissue engineering, biocompatible biomaterials and systems for induction of chondrogenesis).
The practicals treats the management in vitro cultural models obtained by chondrocytes isolated from articular cartilage.
Full programme
Theoretical part.
a) FIRST PART:
-The chondrogenesis : molecular aspects of chondrogenic differentiation in vitro and in vivo: gene expression and influence of growth factors. Molecular regulation of the chondrogenesis . - Structure and physiology of synovial joints
- Biology of articular cartilage : microscopic organization, molecular structure, function and metabolism. The chondrocyte and its role in the pathology and repair. - Pathophysiology of articular cartilage : macroscopic and microscopic aspects and the pathogenesis of degenerative and discondroplasic diseases of articular cartilage ( osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis).
b) SECOND PART. The repair/regeneration of articular cartilage: models of study in vitro and in vivo:
- Problems and prospects; - Basics on the chondroprotective molecules ; - Models and techniques for cell regeneration / repair of cartilage : differentiated chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells, the prospects and limitations of the cell transplantation , the chondrocyte differentiation and de-differentiation, the induction of chondrogenesis ; - Innovative biotechnology application of cartilage repair: concepts of tissue engineering , biomaterials, principles of biocompatibility of the chondro-conductive and chondro-inductive systems.
Practicals: 1) Isolation and primary culture of articular chondrocytes ; 2) Models for the culturing and maintenance in vitro chondrocyte differentiation (bi- and three-dimensional systems) and for the assessment of biocompatibilty of biomaterials.
Bibliography
1) Slides of the lectures in pdf and RECORDED LESSONS (E-LEARNING)e; 2) Lecture Note on the topics covered; 3) Experimental protocols describing the laboratory practice.4) Scientific reviews from international bibliography.
The educational material is available online
Consultation Book: 1)Kyriacos A. Athanasiou, Eric M. Darling, Jerry C. Hu, Grayson D. DuRaine, A. Hari Reddi. Articular Cartilage. March 21, 2013 by CRC Press.
2) Martin j. Stoddart , Elena Della Bella, Angela R. Armiento. Cartilage Tissue Engineering. 2023 Humana Press.
Teaching methods
The course will be held through lectures to Students by slide presentations, which will be available to students on the Elly platform (https://elly.medicina.unipr.it).
The frontal lessons (35 hours) are organized by means of the presentation of the arguments with Power Point slides. Laboratory work (12 hours) will be carried out in the laboratory with the availability of multi-seat microbiological hoods, with thermostated bath for enzymatic isolation of the tissue and inverted optical microscopes for counting and observation of the cells and their culturing in diferent systems. Students will work directly following laboratory protocols defined for the preparation of primary cultures and of specific culture systems for articular chondrocyte.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination in presence.
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives of the course has based on an oral examination with one or more questions on the topics covered in the theoretical part and on the practicals in order to assess whether the student has acquired the knowledge and understanding of the content of the course and the ability to apply them (D1, D2).
In the answers, the student will have to demonstrate linguistic propriety and reasoning ability by connecting the different topics presented during the course (D3,D4).
The result of the examination is based on the evaluation of the response of the student to both of the questions with an overall assessment.
It 's optional to sustain an ongoing testing (written test multiple choice or Power Point presentation of specific subject with one or more oral questions) on the first part of the program; the examination will be completed, in the date of the official exams, on the topics of the second part and of the practical part with the definition of the final vote.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes)
Other information
The teacher is available for educational meetings for students in order to further explanations and clarifications, both during the course and for the exam, from Monday to Friday prior agreements via-email and the meeting will be in presence or alternatevily online (Teams).
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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