Stem Cells - An Introduction

Beyond doubt one of the more profound (and controversial) developments  in modern medicine, the study and use of stem cell techniques is poised to forever change medical therapeutics. Imagine tissues and organs being able to regenerate themselves - all from a few stem cells recovered from the patient's own tissues.  Often surrounded by controversy, there are two core characteristic of stem cells that set them apart from other cell and tissue types. Stem cells are unique in two ways:

	Differentiation - they can differentiate into many different cell types
	Replication - they continue to grow and replicate to replace tissues, etc.

The medical implications of cells that can replace damaged or diseased tissues will one day significantly alter therapeutic strategies: instead of removing diseased organs, stem cells may be used to replace and repair a range of biological tissues and functions. It is the promise of such novel therapies that has generated such tremendous interest in stem cell technologies.

There are currently three main sources of stem cells:

1. Embryonic stem cells - embryonic cells poised to develop into various tissues (these cells possess the potential to differentiate into any tissue type)
2. Somatic / adult stem cells - cells with replication and repair capabilities which can transform into specialized tissues (these cells have varying capacities to develop into multiple tissues)
3. Umbilical Cord - blood cells from the post-delivery umbilical cord contain undifferentiated cells (varying capacities to differentiate and replicate).

Regardless of the source of stem cells, there has been significant controversy (much of it centered in the US) regarding the use of stem cell techniques in research or medicine. This controversy once limited the funding of many US research groups, despite the wealth of evidence supporting the reality of  profound medical  advancement. Even  today many US states have placed strict limitations on funding and restrictions on the stem cell research itself. There is clearly a need for leadership and a strong regulatory framework to provide a reasonable compromise - a balance between ethics and the development of new medical therapies..

This course seeks to provide an introduction to the science, the future therapeutic potential and the controversy surrounding the development of stem cell techniques in modern medicine.

The course is presented as  the following subject areas:

	History
	Basic Concepts
	Somatic Cells
	Embryonic Cells
	Therapeutics
	Controversy
	The Experts

Please use the above links to access each course section.

Assignments:

        Communication between the instructor and student is essential. Students are expected to contact the instructor (via included e-mail links) to commence the course, to relate progress, present opinions and receive assignments.

Specific Assignments: (2) formal, professional-style original reports will be prepared by each student, as well (if required)  a question-based assignment to be completed upon request as an MS Word format file attachments. Each report will contain a minimum of five pages text, plus references, figures, graphs (as required) on a topic selected by the instructor. Details to be provided to each student as they reach the Assignment Markers within the course curriculum.

Web-Based Teaching: A short (no more than a single paragraph) review of the web-based teaching format is required by each student and can simply be e-mailed to the instructor. Please comment on your experience with this alternative delivery method and whether or not it has been advantageous.

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Code and Title  T07 –    Stem Cells  (Introductory)

Department Health Sciences

Total Hours 30

Credit Hours  3

Course Description

An internet based course designed to introduce the student to the core concepts, issues and techniques involved in stem cell research and medical therapeutics.  The course will examine both embryonic and adult stem cell lines, medical therapies and examine some of the controversy surrounding the science.

Academic Pre-requisites None

Course Delivery Method Online

The following Communication tools will be used in this course

Email, online content

Course Format The course is an internet based course with (2)  assignments to be turned in via email to the instructor.

Effective date December 16,  2006

Instructor information Mr. David Blicq   dblicq@rrc.mb.ca 

(204) 632-2577 Office A425M 2055 Notre Dame Ave, WPG, MB, R3H 0J9

Student Readiness Computer, internet, other – floppy disc to save assignments

Student Commitments and Contact times Online commitments

Course Resources Textbook - there is no textbook for this course.

References posted notes, internet searches

Student Learning

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course of study, you should be able to….

1.      define stem cell types and their properties

2.      understand the scientific and biological concepts involved in stem cell research

3.      comprehend the issues causing controversy

4.      understand the differences between embryonic and adult stem cell lines

Instruction Schedule

Self directed internet course. 

Please email the instructor to start the course.

Please mail the instructor with any questions regarding the course content or the assignments. 

The instructor will respond within a reasonable time during normal working hours.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assignments 1+2 together makeup 100% of the course grade

Assignment 3 carries a grade of 0%

Assignments 1+2 must be typed and referenced

Letter grade Distribution

A+	4.5	90 – 100 %
A	4.0	80 – 89 %
B+	3.5	75 – 79 %
B	3.0	70 – 74 %
C+	2.5	65 – 69 %
C	2.0	60 – 64 %
F	0.0	0 – 59 %

General Policies

General Academic Policies

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to the Red River College (RRC) Academic Policies and Procedures.  These Policies and Procedures can be found in the RRC calendar or online at http://www.rrc.mb.ca/academicpolicy/default.htm#

 Supplemental Policies

Students can submit completed assignments by correspondence or email.  Assignments will NOT be accepted after the due date; you will receive a grade of F in the course and will not graduate this year and you will have to repeat the course.  If you are delivering a hard copy of your assignments they are to be delivered to room A134 (Chemical and Biosciences mail slot) main floor A building.

Additional Information / Frequently asked questions

References must be included with your assignments and should follow the following format.

If a book: author, title, publisher, date, pages

If an internet site: the URL, title, author, date sourced

If a journal: The title of the journal, title of article, author, volume #, date, pages