Stem Cell Systems for Translational Medicine (P02823)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : BMS-P-MED

This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of current understanding of stem cell biology, focusing on the different sources of stem cells and their potential for use in different translational settings. Topics covered will include:
i) Introduction to stem cells, and historic perspective on the therapeutic use of stem cells
ii) Sources of stem cells I – fetal and adult tissue stem cells. Covering paradigmatic postnatal tissue stem cells – haematopoietic, skin, muscle, gut; mesenchymal stem cells; fetal and cord blood stem/progenitor cells; facultative stem cells; in vitro stem cells.
iii) Sources of stem cells II – pluripotent stem cells. Covering mouse and human ES cells, cloning and reprogramming (iPS)
iv) Cancer stem cells

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : none other that the programme entry requirements

? Co-requisites : This is an optional elective element within the Translational Medicine MSc programme

? Special Arrangements for Entry : All courses will be delivered by distance learning, using WebCT as the delivery platform. Registered students are provided with a user name and password that allows them to access a protected course web site. The website provides a variety of educational material and supports a range of approaches by the students to the material provided. Online delivery will be supported through the provision of core didactic material, multimedia tutorials and discussions with peers and tutors. The website also houses a number of interactive tutorials that allow students to work with information in a self-paced manner to test their understanding of important concepts and principles. There will also be opportunities for group based project work.

Study guides with lecture notes are available, either to be read on screen or printed by the students for private use. Selected readings from relevant journals and textbooks are also provided.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Translational Medicine, (School of Biomedical Sciences, Schedule T)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Additional Class Information : The course will be delivered by distsance learninng, using WebCT as the delivery platform. The total workload (including self-directed study) for the course will be approximately 100 hours

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The intended learning outcomes are to: provide students with a clear understanding of the basic biology of stem cells in different systems, and to equip students to be able to evaluate claims about the potential to use particular stem cell types for therapies.