COMPARATIVE NEURODEVELOPMENT AND NEURAL STEM CELLS
Stampa
Enrollment year
2022/2023
Academic year
2022/2023
Regulations
DM270
Academic discipline
BIO/06 (COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND CYTOLOGY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY "LAZZARO SPALLANZANI"
Course
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Year of study
Period
1st semester (26/09/2022 - 13/01/2023)
ECTS
6
Lesson hours
48 lesson hours
Language
English
Activity type
WRITTEN TEST
Teacher
MORELLA ILARIA MARIA (titolare) - 3 ECTS
BEDOGNI FRANCESCO - 3 ECTS
Prerequisites
The course provides a basic training in Neurodevelopment and neural stem cells for students in Neurobiology. No prerequisites are necessary.
Learning outcomes
To familiarize with mechanisms involved in the establishment, in time and space, of brain structures. To characterize the extent of overlaps and discrepancies of developmental programs in different species. To understand how connectivity between brain areas is achieved and how this is linked to processes of differentiation. To acquire knowledge on the properties, functions, and regulation of embryonic and adult neural stem cells. To learn concepts of cellular differentiation, reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). To understand the scientific process that has conducted to the discovery of neural stem cells and iPSCs and their potential applications in basic and pre-clinical research.
Course contents
This course will provide basic knowledge on neurodevelopment and neural stem cells including:
1) embryogenesis and the establishment of developmental axes
2) genetic and environmental programs of genesis and differentiation of cellular population of the brain
3) establishment of connectivity and its role in normal and pathological conditions
4) the properties, types and sources of stem cells
5) mechanisms underlying differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neuronal and glial lineages
6) adult neurogenesis and its role in health and disease
7) cellular reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
8) applications of neural stem cells and iPSCs

Teaching methods
Frontal lectures integrated with practicals
Reccomended or required readings
Slides provided by the lecturers. Scientific articles will be also proposed throughout the lessons.
Suggested textbooks:
“Neural Stem Cells and Adult Neurogenesis” Arie S. Mobley, 2019, Academic Press, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2015-0-06541-8
“Development of the Nervous System” Dan H. Sanes, Thomas A. Reh, William A. Harris, 4th edition, 2019, Academic Press, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2014-0-01601-2


Assessment methods
Multiple choice test plus an open question via Kiro platform. For the open question, the students will be provided with a figure or a graph from a peer-reviewed manuscript and will be required to describe and interpret the data. Training for this will be provided throughout the course.
The final mark will consider:
the level of knowledge acquired in relation to the the course’s topics
the capability to interpret results from the scientific literature by applying and integrating the knowledge acquired during the course

Further information
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030