Introduction to Regenerative Medicine
Code
11168
Academic unit
NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Department
TRA - Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Credits
3
Teacher in charge
Prof.ª Doutora Gabriela Silva
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
- Understand the biological mechanisms of repair versus regeneration.
- Know the potential of stem cells and discuss the ethical implications of their use.
- Understand the potential of regeneration strategies based on gene and cell therapies.
- Understand the role of biomaterials in regenerative medicine.
- Contact with regeneration strategies and tissue repair.
- Discuss strategies for regenerative medicine.
- Develop presentation skills and discussion of specific topics.
Prerequisites
Subject matter
Fundamentals of Regenerative Medicine. Historical perspective.
Regeneration mechanisms. Homeostasis and tissue repair in adult mammals.
Principles and mechanisms of stem cell biology. Inducing cellular reprogramming for generating stem cells.
Sources of stem cells. Ethical issues.
Cell Therapy and Gene Therapy - applications in regenerative medicine.
Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine.
Tissue regeneration strategies: reconstruction of organs using scaffolds and the extracellular matrix of decellularized organs.
Biomaterials as scaffolds for promotion of tissue regeneration.
Tissue regeneration strategies based on three-dimensional carriers (scaffolds).
Stem cells and tissue regeneration.
Regeneration strategies: example of the central nervous system.
Nano-strategies for tissue regeneration.
Tutorial on preparing scientific posters.
Discussion and preparation of posters about tissue regeneration strategies.
Bibliography
Principles of Regenerative Medicine, 2nd Edition (2010).
Anthony Atala, Robert Lanza, James A. Thomson, and Robert Nerem.
Academic Press
Regenerative Biology and Medicine, 2nd Edition (2012).
David L. Stocum.
Academic Press
Teaching method
The first five classes will be theoretical (each class is a 120 minutes session) and will serve to present the basic concepts of the scientific area underlying the field that is subject of this curricular unit. The following two classes will be practical classes in a laboratory environment, which aims to introduce students to the practice associated with tissue regeneration strategies. The following 4 classes will be in the seminar format, which will be presented by invited experts focusing on the latest developments in areas related to regenerative medicine.
The final three classes of the semester will be devoted to the preparation and discussion of posters that will constitute one of the forms of assessment.
Evaluation method