"Sapienza" University of Rome

SAIMLAL Department - Histology and Medical Embryology Section - via Scarpa 16, 00161 Roma Tel. 06 49 76 68 03

PhD Program in Morphogenesis & Tissue Engineering

Coordinator: Prof. Antonio Musarò- email: antonio.musaro@uniroma1.it

Reference person: Gabriella Fedele -- 06 4443 8104  (x28104) - gabriella.fedele@uniroma1.it

This PhD program is part of the School of Doctorate in Biology and Molecular Medicine. The overall aim of the PhD program 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. 

For this purpose, the courses are aimed to teach the students not only notions (rapidly changing and evolving) but also: a) to acquire evaluation criteria to innovatively pinpoint unresolved issues, in specific fields; b) to design experimental strategies which address these issues. 

Curriculum in Morphogenetic and Cytological Sciences The didactic aims of the PhD program are developed through research guidelines regarding the study of the mechanisms regulating somatic cell differentiation. In particular, the following research interests are pursued: 

• Progression and maintenance of the differentiated state, through interaction between muscle cells and factors regulating myogenesis such as AVP, TGFbeta and IGF-I. Role of signal transduction pathways activated by IGF-I and TPA, through PKC isoforms. 
• Embryogenesis and histogenesis. In particular, the mechanisms of induction and determination of mesodermal structures ,as well as of the genesis and role of stem and myogenic precursor cells. 
• Identification of molecular mechanisms of myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, exploiting models of normal myeloid differentiation and of leukemogenesis; 
• Tissue engineering, with special interest for the construction of engineered myotubes organized into an implantable biostructure, and studies of re-colonization of decellularized scaffolds by myogenic cells; 
• Molecular mechanisms of cardiac remodeling, homeostasis an hypertrophy. 

Curriculum in Cell Sciences and Technologies The main areas of training for this curriculum are: 

• Mechanisms controlling cell cycle and death, a primary interest being devoted to the study of molecular regulators of the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways.
• Cell interactions and morphogenesis, with reference to the development of the gonads, the histogenesis of gonadic cell population and the morphogenesis of seminiferous tubules and ovarian follicles 
• Biology of spermatogonial stem cell, with emphasis on the isolation and characterization of mammalian germline stem cells, prerequisite for their potential use in medical therapy of infertility and of testis germ cell tumors. 
• Regulation of gene expression and cell differentiation, with reference to the mechanisms of male and female germline differentiation during gonads formation and paracrine signaling by somatic cells. 
• Tissue homeostasis and malignant transformation: interplay between tissue homeostasis changes induced by inflammatory agents (cytokines and/or agents mimicking pathogen infections) and carcinogenesis or tumour progression in hyperplasic and carcinoma cells and in "in vivo" mouse models of orthotopic- and xeno-transplants; cross talk between signal pathways activated by receptors of innate immunity and oncogenes in the onset of transformed phenotype; immunosuppressive mechanisms developed by tumour cells and strategies to restore anti-tumour immunosurveillance. 

Curriculum in Cell and Tissue Biophysics The educational focus of the Curriculum in BIOPHYSICS is the endorsement of scientific and professional skills in dealing with basic biophysical problems, paying special attention to the autonomous and appropriate appreciation of relevant issues. In particular, the realization of original research projects is encouraged and sustained in the following fields:

• mathematical modeling, multivariate statistics and biophysical chemistry;
• spectroscopical methods;
• human biology, molecular genetics and brain metabolism;
• dynamical simulations and modeling of biosystems at different dimensional scale.

 Additional info at: https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/MORFOGENESI-E-INGEGNERIA-TISSUTALE_nD3525_IT.aspx

Admission Procedures

The announcement for the admission is published each year at https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/dottorati-di-ricerca

"La Sapienza” University announces each year an open, exam-based competition, for the admission to the current cycle of the Ph.D program. The call is usually published in June-July. It lists the "La Sapienza” University courses: perspective PhD students are encouraged to apply to Code: 26083 Morphogenesis and Tissue Engineering. 

The date, the time and location of the oral exam (prova orale) are indicated together with contact person (referente) name, telephone number and email address.

Applications from candidates, regardless of gender, age and nationality, who hold an Italian “diploma di laurea/laurea specialistica/laurea magistrale”, or an equivalent second-level degree (generally equivalent to a Master’s Degree) obtained abroad (or expecting to receive their degree by October 31 of each year) are welcome. The equivalence of each qualification to the relevant Italian degree will be ascertained, for the sole admission to these competitions, by the Academic Board of the course, within the area of interuniversity agreements of cooperation and mobility.

School of Doctorate in Biology and Molecular Medicine