Introduction to Stem Cells

Description of content
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important functional characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions. Given their unique regenerative abilities, stem cells offer new potentials for treating disease.

This 2-week course will address both fundamental mechanisms regulating stem cell function as well as considerations concerning the use of stem cell therapies in the clinic.

Literature/study material used:
Primary literature to be provided by course directors and guest speakers

Registration
You can register for this course via Osiris Student. More information about the registration procedure can be found here on the Students' site.
Maximum number of participants is 60 students.

Mandatory for students in Master’s programme
N.A.

Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
Yes. Registrations from Master and PhD students of the CSDB and RMT programs will be considered first