120.627.01
Stem Cells and the Biology of Aging and Disease
- Location:
- Online/Virtual
- Term:
- 3rd term
- Department:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Credits:
- 3 credits
- Academic Year:
- 2020 - 2021
- Instruction Method:
- Synchronous Online
- Class Times:
-
Classes are recorded and can be viewed at a later time. Class attendance at the specific time is not mandatory.
- M W, 10:30 - 11:50am
- Auditors Allowed:
- Yes, with instructor consent
- Undergrads Allowed:
- Yes
- Grading Restriction:
- Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
- Course Instructor:
-
- Daniela Drummond-Barbosa
- Contact:
- Daniela Drummond-Barbosa
- Resources:
- Prerequisite:
Course in biochemistry, molecular biology, or cell biology at undergraduate or graduate level.
- Description:
-
Exposes students to cutting-edge topics in stem cell biology through a combination of lectures and discussions based on primary literature. Topics include basic stem cell biology in a invertebrate and vertebrate systems, including germline, neural, and Leydig stem cells; the regulation of stem cells by physiology and aging; the connection between stem cells, telomerase, and cancer; and ethical issues pertaining to potential therapeutic applications of stem cells.
- Learning Objectives:
-
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Explain some of the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure self-renewal of stem cells
- Compare and contrast the regulation and function of stem cells in different systems
- Explain how physiology and aging impacts stem cell behavior and function
- Discuss how telomerase function is relevant to stem cells and cancers
- Raise some of the ethical issues in stem cell research and its therapeutic applications.
- Methods of Assessment:
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 45% Midterm
- 45% Final Exam
- 10% Participation
- Instructor Consent:
No consent required