Home page

PhD program in Medical Biotechnology
Section: Biotechnology in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Doctorate School of Medical Biotechnology
Section: Biotechnology in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Biomedical and Medical Sciences

MED40 Gynecology and Obstetrics

Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine
Obstetrical and Gynecological Clinic of the University of Studies of Siena

• Gravidic and Placental Biotechnology and Physiopathology
• Biotechnology and Reproductive Medicine
• Biotechnology and Gynecological Oncology

Objectives and Conditions

It is proposed to train professionals with comprehensive knowledge in the field of Obstetrical and Gynecological Biotechnology in order to organize research in biomolecular aspects of pregnancy, female reproduction and female tumoral pathology.

Gestational and Placental Physiopathology

The doctorate student must acquire knowledge of placental physiopathology and maternal pathology which influence the pregnancy and the neonatal outcome. Evaluation of placental secretions of hormones and growth factors, biophysical and biochemical screening for diagnosis of malformed pathologies, placental stem cells and umbilical cord will also be studied

Reproductive Medicine

The doctorate student will acquire knowledge of uterine and ovarian biology. One of the objectives of the doctorate is to train researchers who will be able to contribute to the knowledge of factors which regulate ovulation, the menstrual cycle and its mechanisms. Molecular mechanisms based on female infertility with particular reference to endometriosis, recurrent abortion, chronic anovulation and assisted reproduction will be studied.

Gynecological Oncology

Research in the field of placental and endometrial tumors will take place through the study of genic expression, oncogenes, oncosuppressors, growth factors and cytokine, with the ability to modulate placental and emdometrial cellular proliferation. Possible biochemical markers for premature diagnosis of ovarian tumors will be studied. Particular attention will be given to the study of the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial tumors.

 

Based on the acquisition of this knowledge, doctorate students will be able to set up a valid research program in scientific terms and be able to teach specializing students.
The doctorate student will have the training centers. The doctorate student will organize, under the guidance of the tutor, seminars and will carry out research, which will be validated through publication in national and international journals, after having been previously corrected and consulted by the instructors.

Formative Teaching Program

The research program will pertain to gravidic, reproductive and gynecological oncologic physiopathological aspects. The doctorate student will represent the professional figure in the connection between research activity and its possible clinical implication

The following laboratory approaches will be used:

A - Molecular Biology

• Identify genetic polymorphisms and mutations (RFLP, SSCP) as well as prevalently focus on the part of the concretely express genome

• DNA and RNA, developing methodologies of extraction of such nucleic acids as well as amplification by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), electrophores and successive quantitative analysis (real time PCR).

• In situ hybridization to visualize the exact cellular location

B – Cell Biology

• Cellular culture represents material of study to evaluate physiological mechanisms which control ovulation, endometrial apparatus, evolution of the placenta to understand the etiology of different pathologies. They will be able to carry out trophoblastic, ovarian, endometrium, decidua, endothelial cell of the umbelical cord (HUVEC) and tumoral cellular line cellular cultures.

C - Biochemistry

• The Western Blotting permits the separation of different proteins in a gel and their transfer to the surface of a membrane on which it is possible to easily study through the use of antibodies (immunoblotting).

• The proteins can be studied directly on the spot analyzing a histologic section (immunohystochemistry).

• The proteins, peptides and steroids are measured in biological liquids by Radioimmunoassay, ELISA, immunoassay.

D - Ultrasound

• Ultrasounds and Doppler velocimetry

• Three-dimensional ultrasound reconstruction of placental vascularization and umbilical cord

• Haptic interface and virtual fetal (Fetus-Touch Project)

Period Abroad: A maximum of 18 months

Erasmus Collaboration

• University of Toronto, Canada
  Prof. J.R.G. Challis
• The Salk Institute, California, USA
  Prof. W. Vale
• Emory University, Atlanta, USA
  Prof. R. Taylor
• Université Paris V, Paris, France
  Prof. D. Bellet
• University Medical Centre Utrecht, Netherlands
  Prof B. Fauser