Meet the Professor Sessions

Paolo Bianco (Rome, Italy)

Stem cells

Topics to be covered

• Definition of stem cells and types of stem cells – ES, iPS, adult stem cells
• Identity, phenotype, ontogeny of skeletal progenitor/stem cells
• Skeletal and mesenchymal stem cells
• Stem cells in the human bone marrow and their niches
• Stem cells and disease in bone
• Stem cells for modelling diseases
• Stem cells for tissue engineering – bone, cartilage
• Correcting gene defects in skeletal stem cells

Educational goals

After attending this Meet the Professor session, participants will be expected to:

• appreciate the nature, identity, phenotype of skeletal progenitors in humans
• be aware of nature and specific characteristics of different kinds of stem cells
• recognize the significance of stem cells for modelling and treating skeletal diseases
• understand the prospects for future research related to stem cells in bone

Target audience

• Clinicians and basic scientists wishing to update their understanding of stem cells in the physiology of skeletal tissues

Teaching methods

• Interactive discussions
• Problem solving
• Q&A