6 ECTS credits
160 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4009569ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
In this course, we teach the fundamentals of human pluripotent stem cell biology. We approach this by teaching about early human development, totipotency and its associated pathways, reprogramming, differentiation and about the practical applications of pluripotent stem cells.
In the part on early human development, we provide in depth knowledge on human embryology by touching upon gametogenesis, fertilization processes and preimplantation development. The concept of totipotency is discussed in the context of early developmental processes such as patterning and lineage segregation. Reproductive medicine and research on human embryos are presented in a general manner, and cloning is explained.
The core of the course focusses on human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells. We teach on differentiation of stem cells, both in 2D and 3D organoid models, and provide insight on the comparisons between human and mouse cells. Finally, we discuss the research and clinical applications of stem cells, including the use of stem cells in toxicological studies, early developmental research and ongoing clinical trials.
The powerpoint presentations and recordings will be made available through PointCarré. These will include references to the most important publications in the field. If not freely available, these publications will also be made available to the students via PointCarré.
Evaluation of scientific relevance
The study of the most recent literature on the topic gives the student an introduction in the scientific background on embryonic stem cells. The student will be able to look up new literature, to analyse, and to integrate it in already known literature.
Problem solving
The student will be able to formulate specific questions that arise during the reading of a scientific article, and will be able to propose relevant experiments.
Extrapolation between scientific fields
The knowledge around methodologies used in stem cell research and parallelisms between embryonic stem cells and in vivo models will allow the student to make a link between clinical embryology, developmental biology and stem cell research.
Knowledge acquisition aims
At the end of the course the student must have acquired knowledge on:
• Human embryology and in vitro fertilisation technology to achieve insight into the provenance of embryonic stem cells,
• Mouse embryology, technology used to make the mouse embryonic stem cells,
• Methods used for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells
• Experiments with mouse embryonic stem cells that have led to knowledge on developmental biology
• Basic knowledge on the derivation, characterisation and research on human embryonic stem cells
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
LEC Practical Assignment determines 40% of the final mark.
SELF Practical Assignment determines 60% of the final mark.
Within the LEC Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the SELF Practical Assignment category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The three professors will be present during the exam. The students receive a reference list (review articles and original studies). The students choose beforehand two articles from this list that they will prepare for a thorough discussion during the exam of one of the prepared articles. The student is also supposed to know the basic concepts of the course; a number of questions will also cover this.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biomedical Sciences: Biomedical Research (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biomedical Sciences: Management and Business (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biomedical Sciences: Clinical Biomedical Sciences (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences
Master of Biomedical Research: Standaard traject
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Health Sciences: standaard traject (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)