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)
Lecturer: Prof. Paolo Borghetti (VET/03)
(CFU: 1 CFU lesson (8 hours) + 1 CFU praticals (8 hours)
Theory:
Anatomy , histology and biomechanics of articular joints. Structure, biology and metabolism of the articular cartilage.
Physiopathology of the tissue cartilage metabolism. The molecular basis of chondrocyte differentiaiton and chondrogenesis. Biomaterials for cartilage reparing
Practicals:
Isolation of chondrocytes from articular cartilage tissue.
Adhesion and tridimensional models of primary chondrocyte culture.
Tecnique for the maintainance of the differentiation of articular chondrocytes in culture.
Full programme
Theory.
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of chondrogenesis. Histology and molecular structure of the articular cartilage and the joint components. 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.
Practicals:
1) Isolationd and culture of articular chondrocytes;
2) Cultural system for chondrogenesis and the maintainance of chondrocyte differentiation in vitro;
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 Lectures (8 hours) and lab activity (8 hours)
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination
Other information
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