Intracellular compartments and cell organization:
-brief introduction to the intracellular organization;
-optical microscopy and histological stainings (haematoxylin and eosin, tricromic stainings);
-scanning electron microscopy and trasmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM)
Cell membrane and lipids:
-Cell membrane proteins;
-enzymatic activity assays;
-fluorescence microscope;
-intracellular fluorescence probes for cytoplasmatic organelles;
-ELISA assay.
Cell trafficking and vesicles:
-structure and fuctions of the Golgi apparatus (endocytosis and exocytosis)
-uptake and intracellular delivery of nanoparticles (NPs);
-basis of flow cytometry (FACS);
-the use of flow cytometry in the study of NP cell uptake and delivery;
-reactive oxygen species measurement by FACS;
-apoptosis assay (FACS)
-basis of exosomes and extracellular vesicles;
-basis of atomic force microscopy (AFN) for the study of exosomes.
Biomaterials and tissue engineering:
-stem cells, differentiation and biomaterials (basis of regenerative medicine);
-biomaterials, scaffolds and coatings (NPs; graphene oxyde; hyaluronic acid and others);
-biocompatibility assays
-the use of SEM in the study of biomaterials;
-Biological and hystological assay for the study of cell differentiation
Biological evaluation of drugs:
-in vitro and in vivo evaluations and clinical trials;
-basis of cell cultures (culture media, supplementation, instruments);
-cell count;
-viability assays and dose-response curve;
-cytotoxicity assays.