PhD courses at University of Copenhagen

Pluripotency, Stemcells and Embryos
Provider: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Activity no.: 3464-14-00-00
	Enrollment deadline: 01/10/2014

Date and time	17.11.2014, at: 09:00 - 21.11.2014, at: 16:00
Regular seats	24
Course fee	6,720.00 kr.
Lecturers	Joshua Brickman
ECTS credits	4.20

Contact person	Anne Vognsen E-mail address: anne.vognsen@bric.ku.dk

Enrolment Handling/Course Organiser	PhD administration E-mail address: phdkursus@sund.ku.dk

Aim and content Learning objectives Aim and content: The ultimate goal of embryonic stem cell biology is to understand what makes these remarkable cells capable of differentiating into a range of cell types, and how the decision of these cells to either self-renew or differentiate is regulated. This course will highlight selected research areas with a profound impact on future concepts and methodologies of the 21st century. In particular, we will focus on the basic biology of these cells and how an understanding of this biology can help with assessments of whether regenerative medicine is feasible, in what contexts, and what are the potential dangers. Internationally renowned scientists, mainly from abroad, will meet with students in ten sessions (3 hours each) to give an overview of their field and lead a discussion of 1 or 2 selected articles. The course will run intensively for about a week and there will be extensive discussion between the students and faculty. Besides of facilitating direct contacts with the invited speakers, this format allows students to improve their ability to critically evaluate papers describing original research, to extract, summarize and communicate the information contained in these papers and to participate in scientific discussion. A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to: a. Understand concepts of potency and how it is evaluated in the stem cell field. b. Be able to approach the stem cell literature critically. c. Understand the underpinnings of stem cell biology in developmental biology. d. Be aware of the technical and ethical issues surround the use of human embryonic stem cells. Content The course will cover the basic biology of embryo- (mES, hES) and adult- (iPS) derived stem cells and their potency. We will cover pre and post implantation development, the cell lines derived from these stages of development, how they are isolated and tested, what factors allow for their expansion, how they can be manipulated genetically and what intrinsic factors regulate their renewal and differentiation. Participants Any PhD student interested in stem cells or in using stem cells as a model system to approach their particular biological problem. Participants need basic molecular and cellular biology. Language English Form Lectures, group work, discussions, presentations, journal clubs. Course director Joshua Brickman Joshua.brickman@sund.ku.dk Teachers Henrik Semb Palle Serup External Lecturers The external lecturers haven´t been contacted but our current plan is: Austin Smith, Cambridge University Jenny Nichols, Cambridge University Andrew Smith, Oxford University Peter Andrews, Sheffield University Wendy Bickmore, University of Edinburgh Janet Rossant, Sick Kids, Toronto Jose Silva, Cambridge University Ron McKay, NIH Tilo Kunath, University of Edinburgh Kat Hadjantanakis, Sloan Kettering Course secretary Anne Vognsen (Name and e-mail address) Dates November 17-21st 2014 Course location DanStem Registration: Please register before October 1st, 2014 Admission to PhD students from Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the rules in force. Applications from other participants will be considered after the last day of enrollment.