Neurobiology

The main aims of the course are: 1) Understanding the molecular and functional properties of nervous system stem cells 2) Presenting and discussing the main experimental methods for thei stem cell study both in vitro and in vivo. 3) Discussing stem cells properties in the context of neurobiological research (as a model for the study of developmental processes and mechanisms of disease) 4) Discussing stem cell properties in the context of pre-clinical and and clinical applications (the development of new therapeutic strategies for the enhancement of self-repair processes or cell replacement therapy). Knowledge and understanding The student knows: The functional properties of different stem cells types The intrinsic and extrinsic signals controlling stem cell maintenance and differentiation The procedures to dissect brain tissues containing stem cells and to establish stem cell lines The techniques to identify and isolate stem cells, both in vitro and in vivo The techniques to study the formation of neurons during development and in the adult brain The physiological and pathological role of adult neurogenesis The state of art in neurodegenerative disorder treatment through cell replacement strategies. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding The student: Knows the terminology used in the field correctly. Knows properties and understands advantage and disadvantage of the different stem cell types available for specific purposes. The student acquires the capability to understand which cell types are appropriated to address biological questions relevant both in basic research and in pre clinical studies. Knows the theoretical principles of most of the advanced experimental procedures used to study stem cells in the nervous system and learns how to use them to address specific biological questions. At the end of the course the student acquires strong knowledge in the field, which will allow him to read articles in a critical way, and to design an experiment in the stem cell research field.