Stem Cell Courses

Biological Interactions with Materials (Biomaterials)
Pharmaceutical Sciences 718-430 or BME 207-430

Instructor: W. John Kao, Ph.D.

Time: TTh 9:30-10:45am
Location: TBD

Prerequisites: 1 year of general biology or 2 semesters of zoology, 1 semester of organic chemistry, or instructor's consent.

Biomaterials are synthetic or biological materials used for the permanent augmentation or replacement of tissues, as well as for applications that require a relative short duration. A wide range of different materials is employed in the construction of biomedical devices such as artificial blood vessels, mechanical heart valves, breast implants, orthopedic joints, dental fillings, and devices such as intravenous catheters and drug delivery vehicles. This course addresses the basic biological systems governing the utilization of biomaterials and the range of materials currently being employed for biomedical applications. Various analytical techniques pertinent to biomaterial research and evaluation will also be discussed. Selected major medical fields in which biomaterials play a critical role will be discussed throughout the course. The course learning outcomes include: to understand and to integrate biology and material science and engineering, to apply this integrated knowledge in the design of materials for a specific biomedical application, to develop critical experimental design and data assessment of data related to biological response to materials, to be aware of the clinical utility and limitation of materials for biomedical applications.

Recommended Textbook: Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine (eds. BD Ratner et. al.), Academic Press 1996 (first edition) or 2004 (second edition). Available in the UW Bookstore. For more current information, refer to these biomaterials journals accessible from UW-Madison linked web server: Journal of Biomaterial Science Polymer Edition, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, Journal of Controlled Release, Acta Biomaterialias

MHB 610 Brain Matters

Instructor: Linda Hogle, PhD

Time: Fridays, 1-3:30pm
Location: TBD

This course deals with the social and ethical study of emerging neurosciences and technologies. Recent theories and innovations in neuroscience will not only alter diagnosis and treatment of human disorders, but some believe there may be significant impacts on criminal and civil law, social policy, and cultural notions of the self. Topics include: the implications of using brain imaging for qualifying the “normal” brain and predicting future behaviors; the use of psychopharmaceuticals and other techniques for enhancing cognitive performance or changing behaviors; the ethics of using innovations such as neural prosthetics and neural stem cells; social and scientific theories of neural plasticity; neuroeconomics; and brain death & vegetative states. In addition to ethical issues related to basic research and clinical use, we will explore broader social and policy issues, including the potential for changing relations among the State, citizens (as patients and consumers), commercial interests, employers, policymakers, the courts and more.

The course is designed for graduate students in the Clinical Neuroscience and Neuroscience and Public Policy Programs and will also be of interest to graduate students in medical & biological sciences and biomedical engineering. Advanced graduate students in social sciences, law, policy studies & population health sciences may be accepted upon consultation with instructor. 1 credit . A 3 credit option is available for students interested in more in-depth analysis and will include advanced reading in STS (Science, Technology & Society Studies).

Neuroscience 670--Stem Cells and the Central Nervous System

Instructor: Ron Kalil

Time: Thursdays 1:20-3:20 pm
Location: 5215 Medical Sciences Center

The course will analyze research that involves stem cells and the nervous system in areas that have received widespread attention. In each area of stem cell research that will be considered, we will aim to distinguish what is known from what is not known, and determine what remains to be done to bridge this gap.

Among the topics that will be included in the course are: basic stem cell biology, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and the transplantation of embryonic and adult stem cells to the developing and adult CNS for experimental and therapeutic purposes. Reading material will consist mainly of primary papers that will be presented each week by students in the course and discussed critically by the class. Prerequisites included basic course work in biology and chemistry. Familiarity with developmental biology, developmental neurobiology and the structure and function of the CNS will be helpful.

NOTES: Graduate level course; open to advanced undergraduates with consent of instructor.
Credits: 2-3 Three Credit students must complete a term paper.
Class Enrollment Number: 73374

More course information is available at http://keck.bioimaging.wisc.edu/Neuro670/

Medical History & Bioethics (MHB) 734: Regenerative Medicine, Ethics & Society

Instructor: Linda Hogle, PhD

Contact: Linda Hogle, Ph.D. lfhogle@wisc.edu or 263.6954

Time: Meets Friday 9-11:15 a.m. (before journal club) for SEVEN WEEKS
1 credit; 3 credit option available

Description and Objectives: This course is designed to introduce students to ethical, policy and social issues related to regenerative medicine, specifically stem cell research. Students will gain an understanding of current and past legal, political and moral issues related to the derivation of embryos for research, be familiar with guidelines for research ethics (including derivation of cells, donor issues) and gain an understanding of the relations of governments, various public groups and the media in the face of controversial research. Clinical ethics issues specific to stem cell research (adult and embryonic) will be illustrated using examples of existing and potential clinical trials.

The course is designed for medical students, science and engineering students working in stem cell research, although others are welcome.

Students interested in a 3 credit option (which will meet all semester and go into greater depth) should contact Dr Hogle to discuss.

Anatomy 675 - Special Topics in Mammalian Embryology

Instructor: Karen Downs

In its third year, this course will provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students with a thorough grounding in mammalian embryology. Emphasis is on the anatomy of the mouse conceptus, the experimental approaches used to investigate cell fate, cell potency, determination, and differentiation, how these approaches have formed the basis for isolating a variety of stem cell types, and the role of spatial coordinates in embryonic and extraembryonic design and juxtaposition.

There are no required books. Materials are lectures, a Study Guide, reviews, and readings from original papers, the latter of which will be discussed in class each week.

The Instructor will provide copies of each week’s reading materials, and a general guide to the papers, with questions to keep in mind for discussion. There are no exams, but two presentations. The first, before Spring Break, will be on pre-implantation mammalian development, and the second, during Finals week, will be on post-implantation development.

BME/CBE 520 - Stem Cell Bioengineering

3 credit hours
Tentative Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 11-12:15
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor
Professor: Bill Murphy

Module 1: Fundamentals of Stem Cell Biology
Definitions and molecular mechanisms
Factors that Dictate Stem Cell Behavior

Module 2: Modeling of Stem Cell Signal Transduction
Introduction to Modeling Cell Behavior
Unique Characteristics of Stem Cell Modeling
Mechanisms for Stem Cell Manipulation

Module 3: Engineering the Stem Cell Microenvironment
Characteristics of the Stem Cell Niche
Approaches for Engineering the Microenvironment
Stem Cells in Controlled Microenvironments
Module 4: Stem Cell-Based Tissue Regeneration
Stem Cell-Based Development/Regeneration
Approaches for Engineering Tissue Regeneration

Module 5: Stem Cell Policy and Ethics
Stem Cell Research: Hype, Hope, and Controversy

BME 601 - Special Topics, Extracellular Matrix: Controlling Structure and Function

3 credit hours
Tentative Class time: Monday and Wednesday 2:30PM - 3:45PM
Location: 1156 Mechanical Engineering
Instructor: Brenda Ogle (Office, 2144 ECB)

The extracellular matrix is crucial not only for maintaining the structure of tissues but also for guiding and maintaining cellular functions and fate processes. We will explore the multiple roles of the ECM and the impact of controlling ECM structure and function on tissue repair.

Learn to Culture Stem Cells

When: Ongoing classes scheduled

Course Description
WiCell Research Institute (www.wicell.org) offers hands-on training in maintaining cultures of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. For further information visit http://www.wicell.org/learn/index.jsp.