Pluripotent Stem Cells
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ONCG4013 | School of Medicine | 4 | 30 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- ONCG4013
- School
- School of Medicine
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 30
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This course focuses on mouse and human pluripotent stem cells, covering their derivation, culture and differentiation, the regulation of pluripotency and the widely variable international regulatory systems that govern their use.
Target Students
Compulsory to MSc. Stem Cell Technology and Regenerative Medicine students.
Classes
- Two 1-hour tutorials each week for 2 weeks
- One 2-hour practicum
- Five 1-hour lectures each week for 12 weeks
Contact time: 30-40 hours (lectures, tutorials and personal study time), up to 10 hours Laboratory Skills
Assessment
- 20% Coursework 1: Lab performance - tutor assessment of lab skills
- 30% Coursework 2: Lab report (2000 words)
- 50% In Class Exam 1 (2-hour): In class exam - written (2 hours)
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a detailed understanding of the biology, culture, derivation, differentiation and ethics of human and mouse embryonic pluripotent stem cells. The practical sessions within the course will provide understanding of critical techniques in current use for culture and differentiation, of pluripotent stem cells for experimental and therapeutic use. During practical sessions students acquire knowledge of the laboratory skills necessary for work with pluripotent stem cells. Thus, a major part of this module is learning and demonstrating proficiency. The tutorial sessions are designed to explore the legislation, clinical application and current obstacles to commercialization of these cells, in addition to covering critical evaluation of embryonic pluripotent stem cell experimental design.Learning Outcomes
At the end of the series of lectures, tutorials and laboratory skills sections, students should be able to:
Describe the origin, biology, culture, derivation, differentiation ethics and commercialization of human and mouse embryonic and adult stem cells.
Practical skills:
Understand and appreciate a range of techniques in current use for culture, differentiation, manipulation and assessment of embryonic and adult stem cells and apply laboratory skills necessary for their exploitation.
The tutorial sessions are designed to explore the, application and current obstacles to commercialization and therapeutic application of these cells, in addition to covering critical evaluation of multipotent stem cell experimental design.
Intellectual skills: the ability to apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry; evaluate scientific research and evidence critically and concisely; synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain understanding of current scientific literature; develop skills necessary for independent research. Professional/ practical skills: evaluate and criticise scientific research papers; develop writing skills necessary for industry and academia. Transferable/ key skills: work independently and as part of a small group.
Information on course (module) registration and enrolment can be found on the Course (Module) Enrolment site