Stem Cell Courses

Anatomy 675 - Special Topics in Mammalian Embryology

Instructor: Karen Downs

In its second year, this course will provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students with a thorough grounding in mammalian embryology. Emphasis is on the anatomy of the mouse conceptus, the experimental approaches used to investigate cell fate, cell potency, determination, and differentiation, how these approaches have formed the basis for isolating a variety of stem cell types, and the role of spatial coordinates in embryonic and extraembryonic design and juxtaposition.

There are no required books. Materials are lectures, a Study Guide, reviews, and readings from original papers, the latter of which will be discussed in class each week.

The Instructor will provide copies of each week’s reading materials, and a general guide to the papers, with questions to keep in mind for discussion. There are no exams but an end-of-term paper and presentation.

BME/CBE 520 - Stem Cell Bioengineering

3 credit hours
Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 11-12:15
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Professor: Bill Murphy

Module 1: Fundamentals of Stem Cell Biology
Definitions and molecular mechanisms
Factors that Dictate Stem Cell Behavior

Module 2: Modeling of Stem Cell Signal Transduction
Introduction to Modeling Cell Behavior
Unique Characteristics of Stem Cell Modeling
Mechanisms for Stem Cell Manipulation

Module 3: Engineering the Stem Cell Microenvironment
Characteristics of the Stem Cell Niche
Approaches for Engineering the Microenvironment
Stem Cells in Controlled Microenvironments
 Module 4: Stem Cell-Based Tissue Regeneration
Stem Cell-Based Development/Regeneration
Approaches for Engineering Tissue Regeneration

Module 5: Stem Cell Policy and Ethics
Stem Cell Research: Hype, Hope, and Controversy

BME 601 - Special Topics, Extracellular Matrix: Controlling Structure and Function

2 credit hours
Class time: Thursday, 2:30-4:30
Location: 1156 Mechanical Engineering
Instructor:  Brenda Ogle (Office, 2144 ECB)

The extracellular matrix is crucial not only for maintaining the structure of tissues but also for guiding and maintaining cellular functions and fate processes.  We will explore the multiple roles of the ECM and the impact of controlling ECM structure and function on tissue repair.

Learn to Culture Stem Cells

When: Ongoing classes scheduled

Course Description
WiCell Research Institute (www.wicell.org) offers hands-on training in maintaining cultures of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. For further information visit http://www.wicell.org/learn/index.jsp.