Course
Morphogenesis, Homeostasis and Tissue Engineering
School
Biologia e Medicina Molecolare
University
Roma La Sapienza
Course Coordinator & Office of Graduate Studies
name
Prof.
Sergio
Adamo
email
sergio.adamo@uniroma1.it
phone
+39 06 4976 6756
fax
+39 06 4976 6643
Students' Office
email
gabriella.fedele@uniroma1.it
phone
+39 06 4976 6612
fax
+39 06 446 2854
Thematic Areas
This course is part of the PhD School in Biology and Molecular Medicine. The overall aim of the course is to provide cultural, analytical and methodological tools to perform high level-, basic- or traslational- or applied- research in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological fields. The course is aimed to teach the students not only notions, but also to acquire evaluation criteria to innovatively pinpoint unresolved issues, in specific fields, and to design experimental strategies to address these issues. The course comprises two curricula:
Morphogenetic and Cytological Sciences
Study of the mechanisms regulating somatic cell differentiation: a)Progression and maintenance of the differentiated state; b)Embryogenesis and histogenesis; c) Identification of molecular mechanisms of myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells; d)Tissue engineering, with special interest for the construction of engineered myotubes; e) molecular mechanisms of cardiac remodeling, homeostasis an hypertrophy.
Cell Sciences and Technologies
a) mechanisms controlling cell cycle and death; b)cell interactions and morphogenesis, with reference to the development of the gonads; c) Biology of spermatogonial stem cells; d)- Regulation of gene expression and cell differentiation; e) tissue homeostasis and malignant transformation.
Selection & Admission
Ideal candidates are young graduates with a medicine / biology / biotechnology background, an excellent education track, a strong commitment to scientific research. Good knowledge of the English language and prior publications are appreciated. Admission to the course follows the general rules of Sapienza University PhD courses (http://www.uniroma1.it/didattica/offerta-formativa/dottorati). The admission tests consist in a written composition followed by an interview.
Admitted students are assigned to a participating lab taking into account their individual preferences, and the specific areas of interest of the participating scientists.
Students' Monitoring
PhD students report on their research activity in the context of laboratory and departmental presentations and at the annual final report (an examination to be admitted to the following year), moreover they may present their results at the annual meeting of the Italian Federations of Life Sciences (FISV) and frequently at international meetings. Each faculty member of the PhD program directly and continuously supervises students activities. In addition, PhD students undergo training in foreign laboratories, highly qualified in the fields of the doctorate"s study.
Training & Education
Intense seminarial activity, done by both internal and external experts, is performed. The topics of the lessons deal with the research guidelines of the PhD program. In addition, seminars performed by international scientists are organized. Seminars are often given in English, thus representing the chance for students to practice scientific discussions with international scientists, often members of the PhD Thesis committee. PhD students may undergo training in foreign laboratories, highly qualified in the fields of the doctorate"s study.
A major obiective of the PhD program is to master appropriate and updated methodological tools, including biotechnological approaches such as: histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, cell cultures, tissue and organ cultures, production of transgenic animals, genetic constructs productions and analysis and FACS-mediated cell sorting and analysis.
Doctoral Thesis
The doctoral thesis consist of a written dissertation reporting the results of the research in a comprehensive, exhaustive form. The thesis should clearly document the student's knowledge of the state-of-the-art in the specific research area. The results are presented with a full seminar in English in front of a jury composed of external experts.
Fellowships
A specified number of fellowships are available each year, for the 3 year duration of the course.
The gross yearly amount for the 2011 courses is euro 13,638.47. A 50% increase of such amount is awarded to PhD students while completing their thesis abroad.
Admission of Foreign Nationals Educated Abroad: Sapienza University of Rome offers three year full-time postgraduate PhD positions with fellowship for attaining the degree of "Dottore di Ricerca" (PhD) in PhD schools. Each fellowship amounts to euro 19.800,00 per year; this amount includes national insurance contributions (INPS) that fellowship recipients are required to pay (8,91% for 2011).
Accommodation
Sapienza University does not provide housing services. Students may receive help in identifying the housing offer by consulting services present for both italian (CIAO - Centro Informazioni Accoglienza Orientamento - http://www.uniroma1.it/didattica/sportelli/ciao) and foreign (HELLO - http://www.uniroma1.it/didattica/sportelli/hello) students.