Concentration in Stem Cell Biology

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences-Newark
Concentration in Stem Cell Biology

All students are required to take:
GSND N500A Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences I. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
3 cr. Fall
This course is Part I of the evening fundamentals course that is given to Masters Students. This course covers basic biochemistry and molecular biology. The nature of the major macromolecules will be discussed and their role in the regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism will be illustrated. The synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids will be reviewed and the experimental techniques used in molecular biology will be considered. A review of the regulation of gene expression and intermediary metabolism will serve as an introduction to a more extensive consideration of the material to be discussed in the cell biology course in the following semester. Throughout the course an effort will be made to indicate the relevance of biochemistry to clinical medicine.

GSND N500B Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences II. Cellular Biology. 3 cr. Spring
This course is Part II of the evening fundamentals course that is given to Masters Students. In this course students are introduced to basic cellular structure and function. Topics include: an introduction to the techniques used for studying cell biology, biomembranes, cell compartments, exocytosis and endocytosis, the nucleus, cell cycle and apoptosis, cell signaling, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, wound repair, cell surface specializations and junctions, and basic tissue biology of epithelia, connective tissue and nerve tissue. The lecture series provides an overview of important concepts in cell biology. Key experiments are described and some of the relevant topics of cell biology in the news are discussed.

MSBS 5130 Stem Cell Biology and Applications in Molecular Medicine. 3 cr. Fall
The goal is to develop the subject of stem cells from different tissues. The course will cover stem cell development from the blastocyst stage to the somatic stages. Bone marrow stem cells will be the prototype cells to discuss other stem cells. Different issues regarding regenerative medicine by stem cells will be discussed. The literature on bone marrow transplantation will be applied to repair medicine. Lectures will be didactic. Text books can be read but should be read with the knowledge that the literature on stem cell biology undergoes daily updates.

MSBS 520A Advanced Stem Cell Seminar. 2cr. Fall
This course is interactive. The goal is to provide students with insights on the translational implications for stem cell research. Recent publications will be discussed in class. Discussions will emphasize the implications for the research data in medicine.

MSBS N5134 Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology and Dysfunction. 2cr. Spring
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how dysfunctions in the hematopoietic stem cells lead to clinical abnormalities (diseases). In addition, students will learn how attempts are being made to solve the clinical problems and how these solutions were derived from an understanding of basic biology: biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology.

Hematology has been at the forefront of advances in non-bone marrow stem cells. The subject of hematology involves studies of bone marrow-resident stem cells and the influences of the microenvironment and the immune system on homeostasis of the bone marrow. An understanding of the aberrant stem cell mechanisms, which underlie hematological diseases, will provide paradigms for further study of other stem cells and their application in clinical medicine. This course will illustrate how our increasing knowledge of the biology of hematopoietic and, other bone marrow-derived stem cells can provide new insights into the clinical features of hematologic disease.

The following is an example of the stepwise method intended to discuss the pathophysiology of a hematological disorder:

Lectures describing the basic science of the disease and the evolution of new drug targets.

The outcome of clinical trials with the advent of drug resistance.

Lectures on how the bedside outcome leads back to the bench.

Below are suggested elective course offerings. Other courses may be selected with approval.

CBMM 5020 Developmental Biology. 2 cr. Spring

CBMM 5350 Molecular Medicine of the Heart. 3cr. Fall

PATH N5211 Immunology. 3cr. Spring

Program Coordinator:
Pranela Rameshwar, Ph.D