ECTS - University of Pisa
The course is composed by two separate modules: “Principles of cellular biology” (3 CFU) and “Tissue Engineering” (9 CFU). The student who completes the course successfully will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of cellular biology. Moreover, student will have an understanding of advanced tissue engineering methods that apply physicochemical manipulation of materials in order to direct cell function and tissue regeneration. Techniques and equipment of bench research, related to cell culture, scaffold fabrication methods and scaffold functionalization strategies, will be illustrated. A complete overview of the current state of the art in the engineering of human tissues will be provided. Emphasis will be also placed on developing the written and oral communication skills required to a scientist.
“Principles of cellular biology” module: final written test.
For the “Tissue engineering” module, the exam will comprise:
- a student assignment, consisting of an oral presentation to the class with slides about an assigned topic;
- a final written test, in which the student should demonstrate her/his knowledge of the course topics, by answering open questions. The student should answer each question in a broad and comprehensive way, using the appropriate terminology.
With regard to the “Tissue Engineering” module, at the end of the course the student will be able:
- To know the key elements of tissue engineering: cells, scaffolds and signals;
- To know the basic techniques and equipment for in vitro cell cultivation;
- To understand the basic principles of the different tissue engineering approaches;
- To understand the existing strategies to design and fabricate scaffolds;
- To understand the methods to develop bioactive and biomimetic scaffolds;
- To know the current state of the art in the engineering of different human tissues.
“Tissue engineering” module: oral presentation of the assignment: 50%, final written test: 50%
The final grading of the “Principles of cellular biology and Tissue Engineering” exam will be the weighted average of the assessments obtained in the different modules.
Students can acquire and develop sensitivity to both biological and engineering issues of tissue regeneration.
For both modules, the tools used to ascertain the expected behavior acquisition are:
A basic knowledge of materials science, chemistry and biology is suggested.
Delivery: face to face
Learning activities: attending lecturers; participation in seminars
Teaching methods: lecturers; seminars
The main topics of the “Principles of cellular biology” module are:
- Basic principles of cell theory. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell organization. The main biological molecules.
- Plasma membrane: general information, molecular composition. Membrane models, historical notes. Fluid mosaic pattern. Molecular composition of membrane lipids and general characteristics. Double layer organization. Structure and classification of phospholipids: phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids. Other membrane lipids: glycolipids, cholesterol.
- Transport into the cell from the plasma membrane: Endocytosis
- Transport from the trans-Golgi reticulum outside the cell: Exocytosis
- Cytoskeleton: general information; classification of cytoskeletal filaments. Microtubules: ultrastructure and molecular composition.
- Cell junctions and extracellular matrix; cell-cell junctions, cell-matrix junctions
- Outline of signal transduction mechanisms: G protein-coupled receptors. Signal molecules and receptors. Adenylate cyclase and cAMP. Phospholipase C, IP3 and DAG.
- Tissue homeostasis: proliferation (stem cells), repair, cell death. Main fabrics and functions.
- Main cell study techniques: optical microscopy, electron microscopy; fixation, inclusion, staining. Cyto-histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization techniques.
The main topics of the “Tissue Engineering” module are:
- Techniques and procedures for in vitro cell cultivation
- Key elements of tissue engineering: cells, scaffolds, signals
- Tissue engineering approaches
- Cell-scaffold interactions
- Biomaterials for tissue engineering
- Traditional and advanced scaffold fabrication techniques
- Functionalization strategies to obtain bioactive scaffolds
- Biomimetic environments for tissue culture. Bioreactors and microfluidic devices
- Current state of the art in the engineering of human tissues, including bone, cartilage, skin, myocardium, blood vessels, heart valves, nerves…
- Ethical and regulatory aspects of tissue engineering
“Tissue engineering” module: lecture slides and selected articles from current literature will be provided by the lecturers to students.
Contact the teacher for didactic material and course information.
