- definition and properties of clonogenic cells, stem cells, progenitor cells;
- adult and embryonal stem cells; the Planaria model;
- “transit” cell population in tissue regeneration; phases and control of regeneration;
- genomic asset of stem cells and progenitor cells; hierarchical model (genetically blocked) and reversible/fluctuating model (“chiaroscuro” model) of transit between the two types of cells;
- stem cell plasticity;
- tissue microenvironment and maintenance of stem cell properties; the “stem cell niche”;
- cytokines and their role in tissue regeneration, inflammation and immunity;
- signaling within the stem cell niche: notch, wnt, HH, LIF, oct4, nanog;
- the Anemias and their pathogenesis as a coherent system of diseases;
- mononuclear phagocyte system and macrophage activation;
- the eicosanoids, lipid mediators of inflammation; origin, synthesis and biological action;
- relationship between cells and extracellular matrix; adhesion molecules; the integrins and their biological role;
- hemostasis: platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation;
- hemostasis: fibrinolysis, kinin system and their relationship with the other major proteasic plasma cascades;
- atherosclerosis;
- diabetes;
- tumor growth; pre-neoplastic changes; local invasion; metastasis;
- neoplastic initiation, promotion and progression;
- cancer stem cell; different models of neoplastic stemness;
- tumor stroma and neoplastic growth;
- tumor neovascularization; oxygen diffusion and altered blood perfusion in clonal selection and neoplastic progression.