The aims of this course are:
1)to gain knowledge of the specialized cellular architecture of glia and neurons;
2)to deepen the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cell communication between glia and neurons.
Special emphasis will be given to nitric oxide-regulated pathways.
In this course students can use state of the art equipment and learn current techniques employed in cell biology research labs.
Moreover students are allowed to critically discuss the scientific literature in the field of neurobiology.
1)to gain knowledge of the specialized cellular architecture of glia and neurons;
2)to deepen the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cell communication between glia and neurons.
Special emphasis will be given to nitric oxide-regulated pathways.
In this course students can use state of the art equipment and learn current techniques employed in cell biology research labs.
Moreover students are allowed to critically discuss the scientific literature in the field of neurobiology.
teacher profile teaching materials
Methodological skills: to know how to design an experiment using glial cell cultures, to acquire and analyze the data obtained from the laboratory activity.
Topics:
The course will deepen the following topics: morphology and ultrastructure of glial cells; Properties and functions of astrocytes; homeostasis of pH, K and volume; The neuro-glial-vascular unit, mechanism of cerebral blood flow regulation; gliotransmitters release and the tripartite synapse; The role of nitric oxide as neurotransmitter and neurotoxic factor; Microglia: activation, motility and immune surveillance; Reactive astrocytosis, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. Cellular response to oxidative stress. The laboratory activity will be mainly devoted to the study of nitric oxide as cellular messenger in glial cell cultures. Experimental procedures include but are not limited to the following: Preparation of whole, cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts, Western Blot; Analysis of gene expression and transcription factor activation (RNA extraction, RT-PCR, EMSA, TransAM-ELISA); Modulation of gene expression (Oligo-Decoy); Cell Transfection; Analysis of nitric oxide (NO) pathway and determination of NO in living cells and in cell extracts.
– THIRD EDITION – 2012 OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Slides in PDF format of all the lectures will be provided by the teacher.
The teacher receives the students at least once a week by appointment via e-mail: tiziana.persichini@uniroma3.it
Mutuazione: 20410486 Laboratorio di neurobiologia cellulare in Biologia per la ricerca molecolare, cellulare e fisiopatologica LM-6 PERSICHINI TIZIANA
Programme
Cultural knowledge: The aims of this course are: to gain knowledge of the specialized cellular architecture of glia and neurons; to deepen the knowledge of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cell communication between glia and neurons. Special emphasis will be given to nitric oxide-regulated pathways. In this course students can use state of the art equipment and learn current techniques employed in cell biology research labs. Moreover students are allowed to critically discuss the scientific literature in the field of glial cell biology.Methodological skills: to know how to design an experiment using glial cell cultures, to acquire and analyze the data obtained from the laboratory activity.
Topics:
The course will deepen the following topics: morphology and ultrastructure of glial cells; Properties and functions of astrocytes; homeostasis of pH, K and volume; The neuro-glial-vascular unit, mechanism of cerebral blood flow regulation; gliotransmitters release and the tripartite synapse; The role of nitric oxide as neurotransmitter and neurotoxic factor; Microglia: activation, motility and immune surveillance; Reactive astrocytosis, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. Cellular response to oxidative stress. The laboratory activity will be mainly devoted to the study of nitric oxide as cellular messenger in glial cell cultures. Experimental procedures include but are not limited to the following: Preparation of whole, cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts, Western Blot; Analysis of gene expression and transcription factor activation (RNA extraction, RT-PCR, EMSA, TransAM-ELISA); Modulation of gene expression (Oligo-Decoy); Cell Transfection; Analysis of nitric oxide (NO) pathway and determination of NO in living cells and in cell extracts.
Core Documentation
BRUCE R. RANSOM, HELMUT KETTENMANN. “NEUROGLIA”– THIRD EDITION – 2012 OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Slides in PDF format of all the lectures will be provided by the teacher.
The teacher receives the students at least once a week by appointment via e-mail: tiziana.persichini@uniroma3.it
Type of delivery of the course
The course takes place through classroom lectures and experimental activity in the cell culture laboratory. Lectures are given with the aid of power point presentations and videos. At least three distinct laboratory activities are scheduled according to the topics indicated in the program.Attendance
Attendance at the course is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
The oral exam consists of the discussion with the teacher on some of the topics of the program and is aimed to the evaluation of the following aspects: • knowledge levels of the topics, • Ability to link different topics of the program • Speaking ability and correct use of scientific language, • Ability to understand and discuss a scientific paper, • Ability to design an experiment and analyze the results.