Advances in Stem Cell Biology

This subject introduces students to advanced research topics in modern stem cell biology with respect to current roles of stem cells in development of organisms, regenerative medicine and ethical considerations of biotechnological applications. Different types of stem cells will be discussed with emphasis on embryonic stem cells compared to adult stem cells and roles in embryonic development and adult tissue regeneration. The role of stem cells in diseases such as cancer, anaemia etc., will be discussed by leading stem cell researchers in terms of dysregulation of tissue regeneration and current potential treatment strategies. New therapies based on stem cells such as in vitro production of organs, stem cell transplantation and cloning will be presented along with the ethical dilemmas posted by these advances. The subject will also cover the latest advances in Induced Pluripotent Stem cell (iPS) technology and what this tells us about the nature of pluripotency.

探讨干细胞研究的最新进展与应用。

• 1Describe major concepts relating to stem cell biology and regenerative medicine
• 2Discuss the major areas of ethical contention in medical applications of stem cell biology
• 3Describe the experimental approaches and strategies used in stem cell research and medicine, and apply these to specific questions in biology and medicine
• 4Analyse and evaluate the potentials, limitations and weaknesses that are associated with scientific advances in stem cell biology
• 5Synthesise scientific literature to construct arguments and communicate findings to expert and non-expert audiences