Biomedical Laboratory techniques

Course description: The subject of this teaching module is the diagnostic classification of the main hematological diseases. As regards onco-hematological pathologies, the course aims to provide students with in-depth and updated knowledge regarding the molecular basis of tumor onset and progression and to demonstrate the possibility and importance of transferring scientific discoveries, which come from laboratory, in clinical/therapeutic applications. With regard to learning outcomes, at the end of the course the student will be able to: 1. know the laboratory diagnostics of the main benign and malignant diseases of the blood and the blood and lymphatic system to adequately understand the analytical requirements; 2. identify and describe the alterations of the haematological parameters useful for diagnostic purposes; 3. interpret simple diagnostic reports in the light of knowledge on the diagnostic classification of haematological diseases; 4. evaluate the characteristics, advantages and limitations of the different methodologies available for carrying out diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up tests. The duration of the course is 10 hours of lectures, divided as follows in the detailed program of the course. Course program General and preparatory aspects of blood diseases (2 hours) Hemopoiesis. The hematopoietic stem cell and hematopoietic progenitors. Diagnostic tests in hematology: peripheral blood and bone marrow. Anemias: general information and classification (2 hours) Main pathologies of platelets and coagulation (1 hour) Oncohematology (5 hours) • Definition of neoplasm. General characteristics of the neoplastic cell. Molecular basis of the tumors onset: genetic alterations in malignant transformation (somatic mutations, gene amplifications, deletions and translocations). Alteration of cell proliferation and genes involved. Evasion of apoptosis. Self-sufficiency from growth signals: oncogenes. Insensitivity to growth inhibitory signals: tumor suppressor genes. Unlimited replication potential: telomerase. Stromal microenvironment and carcinogenesis. • Diagnostic pathway in oncohematology, from morphology to microarray  Morphological examination  Flow cytometry  Cytogenetics and molecular genetics  Molecular investigations  Gene profiling • Classification and classification of the main oncohematological diseases:  Acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias  Myelodysplastic syndromes  Chronic myeloproliferative diseases  Chronic lymphocytic leukemia  Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas,  Monoclonal Gammopathies and Multiple Myeloma

To achieve a broader understanding of the course contents useful for achieving the learning objectives, it is essential that the student has acquired previous knowledge (basic notions) of biochemistry, cell biology, molecular and cell biology, immunology, laboratory medicine.

Ematologia di Mandelli- Avvisati et al, second edition (2019) ISBN: 978-88-299-2307-6; Piccin. Kumar, Abbas, Fausto, Aster: Robbins e Cotran - Le basi patologiche delle malattie 8a ed. Vol. I, Cap. 7 - Malattie neoplastiche, ISBN:9788821431753. Editore: Edra – Masson

The course will take place through face-to-face and interactive lessons with the student for a total duration of 20 hours. Each meeting will develop one or more topics included in the program, with the aid of iconographic material collected in PowerPoint files. The frontal lesson will be integrated with the use of videos by international experts, interventions by experts in specific areas of the program, use of tutorials on diagnostic or experimental techniques. In the final part of the course, a "flipped classroom" style activity could be proposed.

As reported in the didactic regulations, "attendance of frontal teaching activities (ADF) is obligatory and necessary for the student to take the relative exam".

The final exam will be held orally with a mark expressed by the examining commission. The criteria useful for the evaluation will be: - knowledge and understanding of the topic; - use of appropriate terminology and language; - ability to analyze and synthesize. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course and that he can correctly and adopt specific integrated diagnostics pathways in hematology.

Recent bibliography indicated during the lessons.

The course will take place through face-to-face and interactive lessons with the student for a total duration of 20 hours. Each meeting will develop one or more topics included in the program, with the aid of iconographic material collected in PowerPoint files. The frontal lesson will be integrated with the use of videos by international experts, interventions by experts in specific areas of the program, use of tutorials on diagnostic or experimental techniques. In the final part of the course, a "flipped classroom" style activity could be proposed.