Development, Cell Potency and Differenciation
Code: 42944 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4313782 Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology | OT | 0 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Elena Ibaņez de Sans
- Email:
- elena.ibanez@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
Other comments on languages
Lectures in Unit 1 will be in EnglishTeachers
- Carme Nogues Sanmiquel
- Josep Santalo Pedro
- Pere Jordi Fābregas Batlle
External teachers
- Josep Maria Canals
Prerequisites
An intermediate-advanced English level is recommended. Lectures in Unit 1 will be in English.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This is a compulsory theoretical module in the Reproductive Biology specialization of the master’s degree.
The objective of this module is to provide students with a solid knowledge of pre-implantation, and post-implantation embryo development, and foetal development in mammals, as well as of the processes of totipotency and cell differentiation that occur during development. This knowledge will allow students to understand the basis of pathologies associated with reproduction and of assisted-reproduction and cell-therapy techniques. The module will also cover the main legal and ethical aspects related to the application of these technologies.
Competences
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
- Design experiments, analyse data and interpret findings.
- Identify the ethical dilemmas and apply current laws governing the area of knowledge of the master's degree.
- Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
- Recognise the cellular and molecular bases of reproduction in mammals.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
- Use and manage bibliography or ICT resources in the master's programme, in one's first language and in English.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply current laws on reproductive and regenerative biology.
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
- Describe the bases of cell totipotency and differentiation processes.
- Design experiments, analyse data and interpret findings.
- Identify the cellular bases of normal and pathological embryonic and foetal development.
- Identify the ethical dilemmas associated with research and clinical practice in reproductive and regenerative biology
- Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
- Use and manage bibliography or ICT resources in the master's programme, in one's first language and in English.
Content
Unit 1. Pre-implantation embryo development. Zygote activation. Embryonic metabolism. Pre-implantation gene expression. Embryo cleavage. Formation of the morula and the blastocyst. Hatching. Implantation.
Unit 2. Post-implantation embryo and foetal development in humans. Embryonic period: bilaminar embryo, gastrulation, trilaminar embryo and organogenesis. Foetal period. Mechanisms of implantation and placenta. Congenital abnormalities and prenatal diagnosis. Practical session on the observation of embryonic and foetal images.
Unit 3. Stem cells. Definition and types of stem cells. Culture and characterization of stem cells. Derivation methods. Differentiation. Applications. Ethical and legal issues.
Methodology
The module will consist of lectures and a practical session on image observation (corresponding to Unit 2). Class attendance is compulsory and will be monitored.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Classroom practical session | 2 | 0.08 | 6 |
| Theoretical classes | 28 | 1.12 | 1, 4, 7, 6, 8, 9, 2, 10 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Individual study | 94 | 3.76 | 1, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9, 3, 10, 11 |
| Literature research and reading | 20 | 0.8 | 5, 6, 8, 9, 3, 10, 11 |
Assessment
Assessable activities will consist of multiple-choice tests for the contents of Units 1 and 3 (one test for each Unit) and an objective written exam for the contents of Unit 2. Assessable activities are mandatory, and each will have a weight of 30% in the final grade of the module. The aim of these activities is to assess that the students have acquired the conceptual knowledge for each unit and that they have understood and know how to integrate this information.
Class attendance and participation will also be considered in the assessment (10% of the final grade). Any absence should be duly justified by the student. Non-justified absences will affect the final mark of the module as follows: 1 absence -0.5 points; 2 absences -1 point. If the number of non-justified absences is higher than 2, the student will not be able to pass the module.
To pass the module, students must obtain an overall grade equal to or higher than 5 points. If the grade is lower than 5, students will need to retake the failed assessable activity/activities. Reassessment tests and exams will be similar to those within the continuous assessment.
To be eligible for reassessment, students should have previously been evaluated in a set of activities equal to at least two thirds of the final grade of the module.
Students will be graded as "No Avaluable" (Not Assessable) if the weighting of all assessable work carried out is less than 67% of the final grade.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class attendance and participation | 10% | 0 | 0 | 1, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9, 2, 3, 10, 11 |
| Multiple-choice test Unit 1 | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 2, 3, 10, 11 |
| Multiple-choice test Unit 3 | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9, 2, 3, 10, 11 |
| Written exam Unit 2 | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 2, 3, 10, 11 |
Bibliography
General bibliography:
Atala A and Lanza R. Handbook of Stem Cells. Vol 1 and 2. Academic Press. 2012. ISBN: 9780123859426.
Access to the 1st edition (2004) through the UAB library service: https://www-sciencedirect-com.are.uab.cat/book/9780124366435/handbook-of-stem-cells#book-info
Barressi MJF and Gilbert SF. Developmental Biology. Oxford University Press. 12th Edition, 2020. ISBN: 9781605358741.
Carlson B. Embriología Humana y Biología del desarrollo. Elsevier. 6th Edition, 2019. ISBN: 9788491135265.
Access to the 5th edition (2014) through the UAB library service: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.are.uab.cat/lib/uab/detail.action?docID=3429304
Access to the 6th edition through the UAB library service (previous registration needed): https://www-clinicalkey-com.are.uab.cat/student/login?target=%2Fstudent%2Fcontent%2Ftoc%2F3-s2.0-C20180056236
Johnson MH. Essential Reproduction. Wiley. 8th Edition 2018. ISBN: 978-1-119-24639-8.
Access to the 7th edition (2013) through the UAB library service: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.are.uab.cat/lib/uab/detail.action?docID=1120540
Access to the “Student Companion Website”, where book images can be downloaded and tests can be taken: https://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&itemId=1119246393&bcsId=11164
Lanza R and Atala A. Essentials of Stem Cell Biology. Academic Press. 3rd Edition, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-12-409503-8.
Access through the UAB library service: https://www-sciencedirect-com.are.uab.cat/book/9780124095038/essentials-of-stem-cell-biology
Mummery C, van de Stolpe A, Roelen B, Clevers H. Stem Cells. Scientific Facts and Fiction. Elsevier Academic Press. 3rd Edition, 2021. ISBN: 9780128203378.
Slack JMW. The Science of Stem Cells. Wiley. 2018. ISBN:9781119235156.
Access through the UAB library service: https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.are.uab.cat/doi/book/10.1002/9781119235293
Specific bibliography:
During the module, teachers will provide students with updated specific bibliograpy in the form of scientific papers.
Web links:
ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation. 2021 Update. https://www.isscr.org/policy/guidelines-for-stem-cell-research-and-clinical-translation
Software
No specific software will be used.