BME487

This course will teach the main concepts and key methods of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and adult stem cell derivation, propagation, and characterization focusing on developing stem cell technologies. The course will provide an overview of the genetic and epigenetic regulation of self- renewal and pluripotency of stem cells, particularly on selection of substrates and biomaterials for in vitro propagation and sustained pluripotency of ESC; ecto-, meso- and endoderm formation in 3D embryoid bodies; and directed tissue specific differentiation of stem cells with engineering approaches. The course will also discuss alternative methods for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which involves de-differentiation of somatic cells into iPSCs suitable for autologous tissue transplantation. Important knowledge and key contributions to the field of stem cell research and engineering applications will be reviewed in class.

019122