Course for international guest/part time students
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Organization
- TTK Department of Physiology and Neurobiology
- Code
- kisosbhb18em
- Title
- Experimental stem cell biology L
- Usual semester
- Spring
- Published semester
- 2025/26/2
- ECTS
- 3
- Language
- en
- Learning outcomes
- The course provides a comprehensive overview on stem cell biology, including fundamental aspects of embryonic and adult stem and progenitor cells, the processes of organogenesis and cellular differentiation especially in the central nervous system as well as relevant research techniques. Reviews and original papers of important contributions from the literature are used as teaching material. Besides presenting the general properties of stem cells in different tissue types, the discussed topics will include iPS technologies, the molecular and (epi)genetic control of cell fate specification and differentiation as well as practical applications and therapeutic potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Ethical concerns and critical aspects of stem-cell based therapies and regenerative medicine will be also discussed.
- Course content
- 1. Stem cell therapy: basic concepts. Transdifferentiation: reality or experimental artifact? Practical applications and future possibilities of stem cell therapy. Ethical aspects. 2. The general concept of a stem cell. General description of commitment steps. An overview of experimental techniques and markers (SSEA-1, Nanog, Oct4, nestin) commonly used to identify stem cells. 3. Signaling pathways involved in stem cell engagement. Description of the main signaling pathways of tissue differentiation (Wnt, TGF / BMP, shh, Notch-Delta). 4. Basics of embryology, fate mapping. Origin of extraembryonic tissues. Engagement steps of embryonic stem cells (ES), germ plate formation. Fate mapping in major germ plates - practical approaches. 5. Location of genital stem cells, regulation of gonadal development. The role of the tissue microenvironment (niche) in differentiation and in maintaining the undifferentiated state. Sex-specific characteristics. Development of teratocarcinomas. 6. Muscle tissue stem cells in embryonic age and adulthood. Factors regulating smooth-, cardiac- and skeletal muscle differentiation. Post-injury cell replacement options in heart, smooth, and skeletal muscle. 7. Stem cells of the endoderm (liver, intestine, pancreas). Location and origin of stem cells of the endoderm (liver, intestine, pancreas), regulation of their differentiation. Cell replacement options, stem cell isolation and transplantation. 8. The iPS saga I. In 8 years to the Nobel Prize. Improvements to the original iPS and technology. 9. The iPS saga II. Ethical and clinical applicability of the iPS principle. Pharmaceutical approaches: patient-specific treatment or screening? 10. Differentiation of surface ectoderm. Separation and embryonic development of each cell type. Location, steps of differentiation and regulation of adult stem cells. Skin tissue replacement options. 11. Central Nervous System Cell Replacement Options I. Central Nervous System Cell Replacement Options: Goals, Hopes, and Limitations (Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Spinal Cord Injuries). 12. Possibilities of central nervous system cell replacement II. Replacement options for CNS cells: goals, hopes, and limitations (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, spinal cord injuries). 13. Cell differentiation of nerve tissue. Formation of the ganglionic chain, formation of the peripheral nervous system. Environmental factors influencing the formation, development and migration of each cell type. Receptor cell replacement options. 14. Structure of the bone and cartilage system. Stem cells involved in the formation of the skeletal and cartilage system in embryonic age and in adulthood. Artificial cartilage and bone formation, therapeutic options.
- Assessment method
- For registered students, attendance is mandatory, the maximum number of missed lectures is 2. Should someone miss more than 2 occasions, (s)he has to hand in an essay (2000 words in total) on one of the exam topics for each missed lecture. Essays should be uploaded via Canvas. Students are required to read at least one scientific paper during the semester for a discussion during the lectures. The exam will be oral, in English, organized within the exam period in person. Exam topics are available in the Canvas site of the course. Evaluation is based on the traditional 5-level grading system.
- Bibliography
- All lecture slides and supplementary materials will be available in the Canvas. Basic information about stem cells is available on NIH website: https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics