Learning objectives

The proposed teaching activity has the objective to familiarize students with scientific approaches used to address issues related to both chondrodysplasias and various types of tumors associated with incorrect or defective expression of FGFR3 products. FGFR3 belongs to the FGFR1-4 subfamily included in the larger tyrosine kinase (TK) receptors family comprising about 55 members.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No specific prerequisites requested.

Program

The course will be declined as it follows: 1) Introduction to the world of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) exerting their actions through post-translational modifications of protein substrates by means of tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycles leading to regulated signal transduction; 2) Description of FGFRs major roles with a focus on normal skeletal development and on genetic diseases associated with FGFR3 mutations; 3) Experimental approaches used to investigate FGFR3 function in health and in disease underlining how studies on skeletal pathologies have made use of various experimental approaches including protein structure studies, cellular and animal models like transgenic mice, suitable to recapitulate human bone defects; 4) History of scientific strategies adopted to address therapy for achondroplasia and current state of the art; 5) Hints on tumors associated with FGFR3 mutations.

Didactic methods

The teacher will use frontal lessons

Learning assessment procedures

No assessment test will be provided.

Assessment

NA

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

NA

Scheduled Lessons