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Course Detail

Course Name Stem cell Biology
Course Code 24MMD333
Program B. Sc. Honors (with Research) in Molecular Medicine
Semester 5
Credits 3
Campus Kochi

Syllabus

Preamble

Advancements in stem cell biology are occurring at a rapid pace. Breakthroughs in this field may lead to regenerative therapies for diabetes, heart disease, age-related organ failure, genetic diseases, Parkinson’s, and severe tissue traumas such as spinal cord injuries. Stem cells are revolutionizing the regenerative medicine sector and it provides immense hope for the medical world to treat the diseases that are once considered as non-treatable. Stem cells are also being used to gain a better understanding of mammalian development, cell differentiation and gene regulation.This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the basic biology and some applications of stem cells. This course will cover the basics of stem cells, classification of stem cells, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, self renewal and quiescence of stem cells, applications of stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and its applications, current controversies associated with stem cell research.

Unit 1

Introduction to stem cells; basic concepts and definitions; self-renewal, clonality, and potency of stem cells; types of stem cells; differentiation potential of stem cells; stem cell niche; introduction, concept of stem cell niche and its importance

Unit 2

Introduction to cell cycle kinetics of stem cells in vivo; mammalian cell cycle regulation and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors; role of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in stem cell regulation; molecular, epigenetic, and genetic control of stem cell differentiation and specializations.

Unit 3

Embryonic stem cells, defining properties of embryonic stem cells, Human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells; adult stem cells, types of adult stem cells, significance of adult stem cells in therapy, markers of adult stem cells

Unit 4

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC); introduction, definition, sources of HSCs, identification of HSCs, uses of HSCs; Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC); introduction, sources of MSCs, identification of MSCs, properties of MSCs, uses of MSCs; Pluripotency and Induced pluripotency; introduction, definition, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), potential application of iPSCs

Unit 5

Stem cell application; existing and potential clinical use of stem cells; application of stem cells to regenerative medicine; controversies in stem cell research; ethical issues associated with stem cell research; current controversies surrounding stem cell research.

Objectives and Outcomes

Course outcome (CO)

CO1: Understanding of basic concepts and definitions in stem cell biology

CO2: Understand the cell cycle regulation in stem cells

CO3: Understand the properties of embryonic and adult stem cells along with their potential application in stem cell therapy

CO4: A deeper understanding of hematopoietic, mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells and their clinical applications

CO5: Significance of existing and potential clinical use of stem cells and the controversies in stem cell research

Program Outcome

PO1: Bioscience Knowledge

PO2: Problem Analysis

PO3: Design/Development of Solutions

PO4: Conduct Investigations of complex problems

PO5: Modern tools usage

PO6: Bioscientist and Society

PO7: Environment and Sustainability

PO8: Ethics

PO9: Individual & Team work

PO10: Communication

PO11: Project management & Finance

PO12: Lifelong learning

3 = High Affinity, 2 = Medium Affinity, 1 = Low Affinity, – = No Affinity

PO1

PO2

PO3

PO4

PO5

PO6

PO7

PO8

PO9

PO10

PO11

PO12

CO 1

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

CO 2

3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1

CO 3

3

2

–

2

2

1

–

–

–

–

–

1

CO 4

3

2

–

2

2

1

–

–

–

–

–

1

CO 5

3

2

3

3

3

2

–

2

–

–

–

1

Program Specific Outcome

PSO 1 – Chemical and physical basis of biology

PSO 2 – Computational science in biology and medicine

PSO 3 – Biochemical and physiological complexity in biology and medicine

PSO 4 – Molecular technology in biology and medicine

PSO 5 – Cell based approaches in diagnosis and therapy

PSO 6 – Microorganisms in medicine

PSO 7 – Nanoscale entities and its significance in medicine

PSO 8 – Tissue architecture engineering in medicine

PSO 9 – Compounds as drugs and its efficacy

PSO 10 – Bioinformatics and artificial intelligence in medicine

PSO 11 –Technology in personalizing medicine

PSO 12 – Protein structural complexity in medicine

PSO 13 – Projecting science and medicine to public

PSO1

PSO2

PSO3

PSO4

PSO5

PSO6

PSO7

PSO8

PSO9

PSO10

PSO11

PSO12

PSO13

CO 1

2

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

CO 2

2

–

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

CO 3

1

–

2

2

3

–

–

–

–

–

2

–

1

CO 4

1

–

2

2

3

–

–

–

–

–

2

–

1

CO 5

–

–

3

3

3

–

–

2

–

–

3

–

3

Evaluation Pattern

Internal Assessment – 50% 

Periodical 1 

Exam 

20% 

Periodical 2 

Exam 

20% 

Continuous Assessment 

Assignment/Test/Quiz

10% 

50%

End Semester Examination- 50% 

Theory Exam 

50% 

50%

Total

100%

Text Books / References

(1) Essentials of Stem Cell Biology, Second Edition, 2009, Edited by Robert Lanza, M.D.,ISBN: 978-0-12-374729-7, Elsevier Inc.

(2) Stem Cell Biology, Daniel Marshak, Richard L. Gardener and David Gottlieb, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press.

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