Learning objectives
At the end of the course, the student is expected to demonstrate that he/she acquired the knowledge related to the various topics covered in the theoretical and theoretical-practical lectures and that he/she is able to apply this knowledge to the design, standardisation and methodological verification of experimental plans for the assessment of biocompatibility in in vivo and in vitro models used mainly in the orthopaedic and dental fields or to study models of other target organs presented in the lectures.
D1- Knowledge and ability to understand
The student, at the end of the course, will know the anatomical-histological bases of biocompatibility in the osteochondrogenic field in order to understand the rationale behind the choice of in vitro and in vivo experimental models, intended both as study and development models for innovative applications.
D2- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student must be able to apply the acquired knowledge to identify the most suitable experimental model for a given experimental application.
D3- Autonomy of judgement
The student should be able to evaluate, on the basis of the analysis of the experimental model and the analytical methodologies used, the advantages and limitations encountered in the choice of an experimental model.
D4 - Communication skills
The student should be able, with adequate language property, to express the learned scientific concepts.
D5 - Learning skills
The student should be able to understand and interpret scientific articles in the field.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of cytology and histology.
Course unit content
The first part of the course focuses on deepening the knowledge of the locomotor apparatus, including aspects of embryonic development, morphological and biodynamic characteristics and highlighting the particularities of species. It then covers the classification and treatment of biomaterials used in orthopaedics and dentistry, analysing their historical development and refinement, focusing on biotechnological strategies for the production of biomimetic materials, capable of biochemical interaction with cells and tissues. Molecular and morphological aspects of bone tissue are then explored, and various in vivo and in vitro experimental models are analysed to assess colonisation, osteogenic response, osseointegration and resorption. In addition, concepts of experimental modelling, tissue engineering, replacement medicine, regenerative medicine and nanomedicine applied not only to bone but also to other target organs will be described. The practical part of the course will focus on methods of preparation and microscopic analysis of histological preparations containing implants.
Full programme
Theoretical part:
Locomotor system: organogenesis, general characters, species particularities, and biodynamic aspects:
- Osteology
- Arthrology
- Myology
Structural components of bone tissue.
Bone tissue histogenesis. Differentiation markers and pathways of bone deposition and remodelling.
Fundamentals of bone morphology and structure, deposition and remodelling dynamics of pre- and post-embryonic ossification.
Endosseous biomaterials in orthopaedics and dentistry:
History and Definitions, Classification Concepts. First, second and third generation biomaterials.
Biological phenomena occurring at the bone-implant interface.
Implant functionalisation strategies: physical, chemical and biochemical to promote implant osteoingration.
Definition of Tissue Engineering; replacement and regenerative medicine; constituent components of a tissue engineering system, choice of cellular and animal models for experimental evaluation.
Nanomedicine; classification and therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
2D and 3D experimental culture models for assessing cellular response in vitro.
In vitro development of matrices and tissues, bioreactors and physico-chemical stimuli
In vivo experimental models for tissue response assessment .
Models and experimental design, sites and implant types.
Examples of experimental modelling with target organs other than bone
Concepts of legislation.
Methodologies for evaluating osseointegration: use of vital bone markers, micro CT analysis, polarised light analysis, histoenzymatic and immunohistochemical reactions, histological staining.
Hands-on part:
Locomotor apparatus: recognition and isolation of muscles, bone segments and joint components.
Techniques for the preparation of histological preparations; inclusion in paraffin and resin. Microtomy and histological staining. Observation of preparations under ordinary, polarised and fluorescence microscopes; Concepts of computerised digital image processing
Bibliography
The module programme considers topics that cannot be attributed to a single text. The teaching material, in addition to the consultable texts, consists of the material presented in lectures and made available to the students as well as articles from the international scientific literature.
Texts that can be consulted
DE FELICI M., et al.: Human Embryology - Morphogenesis - Molecular Processes - Clinical Aspects, Piccin, Padua, 2014.
PELAGALLI G.V., and coll.: Embryology, Morphogenesis and Developmental Anomalies, Idelson - Gnocchi, Napoli, 2009.
ADAMO S., CAMOGLIO P., DOLFI A., et al.: Histology by V. Monesi, 7th edition, Piccin, Padua.
ROSS M.H., PAWLINA W.: Histology -Text and Atlas with Hints of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ambrosiana, Milan.
BARONE R.: Anatomia Comparata dei Mammiferi Domestici, Edagricole, Bologna.
COZZI B., BALLARIN C., PERUFFO A., CARÙ F.: Anatomy of Laboratory Animals (Rodents and Lagomorphs), Ambrosiana, Milan.
KÖNIG H. E., LIEBICH H. G.: Anatomy of Domestic Mammals (Coloured text-atlas), Piccin, Padua.
DI BELLO C.: Biomaterials - Introduction to the study of materials for biomedical use, Pàtron, Bologna.
MANTERO S., REMUZZI A., RAIMONDI M.T., AHLUWALIA A.: Fundamentals of tissue engineering for regenerative medicine, Pàtron, Bologna.
HOLLINGER J.O., EINHORN T.A., DOLL B.A., SFEIR C.: Bone tissue engineering, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton, Florida.
Teaching methods
The teaching includes lectures supplemented by practical activities. Various spaces in the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences will be used for the practical, such as the septic room, the veterinary anatomical museum, the histology laboratory and the microscopy laboratory.
The teaching material presented in lectures will be made available to the student in electronic format via the Elly platform (https://elly.medicina.unipr.it) together with a selection of scientific reference articles that will supplement the teaching material provided and the recommended texts.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the teaching objectives will performed by means of an oral examination. By means of questions concerning the programme and reference scientific pubblications, it will be evaluated whether the student has achieved the objective of knowledge and comprehension of the contents and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge (D1,D2). In formulating the answers, the student will demonstrate property of language and ability to reason by linking together the various topics presented during the course (D3,D4). The examination result is the mediated evaluation of the student's answers to each proposed questions. The exams will be held in the official sessions.
Other information
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