Neural Stem Cells – physiology and regenerative potential

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Approval grade is obtained by quantifying the next elements:

*Relevance for the participation of students in module discussion - modules 1, 2 and 3%; 25% of the final classification

*Empower the scientific community with additional

*Final grade for the mathematics grade.

Learning Outcomes

The students should acquire the following competences: 1- know how to identify anatomic structures endowed with neural stem cells; 2- discuss the control of the neurogenic niche – proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells; 3- to interpret and discuss data from the bibliography about neural stem cells; 4- to understand basic processes sustaining protocols for immunofluorescence; 5- understand the function and application of confocal microscopy in the study of brain tissue; 6- to develop critical reading capacity of scientific literature and exposing contents.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The course will be organized in 3 modules:

1- Interactive seminars

This module is constituted by the seminars: a) introduction to the nervous system; b) Neural stem cells and neurogenic niches; c) Function of neural stem cells; d) Neural stem cells and pathology; e) Methods on stem cell research.

2- Showcase of techniques and development of protocols

The module: a) Neural stem cell cultures; b) Immunofluorescence in rodent brain slices; c) Acquisition and quantification of confocal microscopy images; d) Single cell imaging.

3- Discussion of scientific papers.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Approval grade is obtained by quantifying the next elements: *Relevance for the participation of students in module discussion - modules 1, 2 and 3%; 25% of the final classification *Empower the scientific community with additional *Final grade for the mathematics grade.: 100.0%

Bibliography

*Interaction Between Neurons and Glia in Aging and Disease (2007). João O. Malva, Ana C. Rego, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Catarina R. Oliveira (Eds). Springer, New York.

*Microglia: The Bodyguard and the Hunter in the Adult Neurogenic Niche (2012) Valero J., Eiriz M.F., Santos I, Ferreira R. and Malva J.O. Advances in Stem Cell Research; Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine pp. 245-279, Humana Press.