Course Description
Foundations in stem cell biology. Topics will include discovery of stem cells, stem cell regulation, stem cells in animal models, stem cells in plants, human induced and embryonic stem cells, applications of stem cells in biomedicine, organoids, ethical implications of stem cell research, and recent advances in the field of stem cell biology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will complete an additional assignment, which will consist of a research proposal on a topic in stem cell biology.
Athena Title
Stem Cell Biology
Prerequisite
BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to explain what stem cells are and how different types of stem cells function.
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how stem cell function is regulated by gene expression within the cell and by signaling from outside the cell.
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to recognize the function of stem cells in normal physiology of tissues and after injury.
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how stem cells give rise to specialized cell types.
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to communicate how our understanding about stem cells had arisen from experimentation.
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to interpret data relevant to stem cell biology.
- At the completion of this course, students will be able to propose new experiments or projects in stem cell biology. (Graduate students only)
Topical Outline
- Discovery of stem cells
- Stem cell diversity in plants and animals
- Pluripotency and gene regulation
- Signaling from the stem cell niche
- Specialization of stem cell progeny
- Stem cells in development and tissue homeostasis
- Stem cells in regeneration
- Stem cell therapies
- Applications of stem cells for discovery (e.g., organoids)
- Bioethics and stem cells
