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Stem Cell Engineering course will cover the emerging concepts and technologies in the stem cell field. We will cover basic biology of stem cells as well as their engineering for clinical applications. We will also discuss how different disciplines are coming together to generate synthetic tissues from stem cells. In addition, the potential of genome editing technologies for treating and modelling human diseases will be discussed. Finally, we will see how dubious claims in the stem field has led to a flourishing industry that benefits from absence of regulatory policies. 

 

Active learning techniques will be used to enhance learning and student participation in classroom activity is an integral part of the class. 

 

Learning outcomes:

 

1.     Explain how stem cells are useful for understanding, modelling and treating human diseases 

2.     Summarize our knowledge about different types of stem cells during development and in the adult tissue  

3.     Enjoy learning about latest development in the stem cell field and explaining it to your friends/family:

a.    formation of tissue-like structure from stem cells (organoid) 

b.    stem cell for modelling human diseases 

c.    application of emerging technologies such as CRISPR in stem cell engineering

4.     Explain mechanisms of cell fate engineering (stem cell reprogramming)

5.     Analyze current shortcomings in engineering stem cells and genome editing 

6.     Present what you learn in the class in an accessible format 

 

Prerequisites:

 

BIOL20A or by consent of instructor. Enrolment is restricted to students with basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology.