Ateneo - UPO

The course will cover the pathogenesis and molecular aspects of the main oncohematological diseases.

Teaching material provided by the instructor on DIR (Distance Learning Platform).

1. To understand and interpret the morphological diagnostics of blood diseases
2. To understand and interpret a complete blood count (CBC)
3. To understand and interpret diagnostic tests for anemia
4. To understand and interpret diagnostic tests for platelet count and function disorders
5. To understand the applications of conventional and molecular cytogenetics in the diagnosis and management of blood diseases
6. To understand the applications of molecular tests in the diagnosis and management of blood diseases
7. To understand the applications of flow cytometry tests in the diagnosis and management of blood diseases
8. To understand and interpret transfusion medicine tests
9. To understand the biotechnological applications in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
10. To understand the applications of genomics (gene expression profiling, SNP array, GWAS, whole-genome/exome sequencing) in blood diseases

The student must have a foundational knowledge of cell biology, immunology, cytogenetics, molecular biology, histology, and cytology.

1. Presentations in MS PowerPoint format
2. Educational websites
3. Small group analysis and review of scientific literature with final presentation

Learning assessment will be carried out through a written exam with multiple-choice quizzes.

Morphology of Blood Cells
1. Peripheral and bone marrow blood smear techniques
2. May-Grünwald/Giemsa staining
3. Physiological and pathological morphology of erythrocytes
4. Physiological and pathological morphology of leukocytes
5. Physiological and pathological morphology of platelets
6.Physiological and pathological morphology of hematopoietic precursors

Applications of Cytogenetic
Analysis to Blood Diseases
1. Principles of conventional cytogenetic analysis
2. Principles of FISH analysis
3.Main cytogenetic abnormalities associated with blood diseases

Applications of Molecular Biology Techniques to Blood Diseases
1. Analysis of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in the diagnosis of blood diseases
2. Analysis of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement in the diagnosis of blood diseases
3. Mutation analysis in the diagnosis of hereditary and acquired blood diseases
4. Detection of fusion transcripts in the diagnosis of blood diseases
5. Minimal residual disease analysis using molecular biology and RT-PCR approaches
6.Bone marrow engraftment analysis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using Short Tandem Repeats

Applications of Flow Cytometry Diagnostics to Blood Diseases
1. Flow cytometric diagnostics of blood diseases
2. Minimal residual disease analysis using flow cytometry in blood diseases

Transfusion Medicine Tests
1. Blood group systems
2. Compatibility testing

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
1. The HLA system
2. Collection and preparation of stem cells for transplantation
3. Graft manipulation for transplantation
4. Monitoring of engraftment and immune reconstitution

Genomics of Blood Diseases
1. Gene expression profiling
2. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
3. SNP arrays
4. Whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing

Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Principles of Major Hematologic Diseases:
1. Red blood cell disorders
2. Platelet disorders
3. Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms
4. Myelodysplastic syndromes
5. Acute leukemias
6. Aggressive and indolent lymphoproliferative neoplasms