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120.627.01
Stem Cells and the Biology of Aging and Disease

Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
M, W, 10:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

Course in biochemistry, molecular biology, or cell biology at undergraduate or graduate level.

Description
Exposes students to cutting-edge topics in stem cell biology through a combination of lectures and discussions based on primary literature. Topics include basic stem cell biology in a invertebrate and vertebrate systems, including germline, neural, and Leydig stem cells; the regulation of stem cells by physiology and aging; the connection between stem cells, telomerase, and cancer; and ethical issues pertaining to potential therapeutic applications of stem cells.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain some of the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure self-renewal of stem cells
  2. Compare and contrast the regulation and function of stem cells in different systems
  3. Explain how physiology and aging impacts stem cell behavior and function
  4. Discuss how telomerase function is relevant to stem cells and cancers
  5. Raise some of the ethical issues in stem cell research and its therapeutic applications.
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 45% Midterm
  • 45% Final Exam
  • 10% Participation