2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DSUR5072M Stem Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering

10 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Xuebin Yang
Email: x.b.Yang@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Jan to 31 Mar (15mth) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Entry to the Master of Science in Clinical Dentistry and Professional Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry or the doctoral training centre for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

This module is approved as an Elective

This module is approved as a Skills Elective

Module summary

In the U.S. alone, over 28,000 new cases of oral cancer per year require surgery, which lead to tooth loss. Craniofacial malformations are the most common of all human birth defects. Furthermore, perhaps the most important treatment need arises from dental caries - according to the WHO, an estimated 5 billion people worldwide have experienced dental caries. In March 2003, the treatment of dental caries by the placement of restorations in adults cost the NHS in England and Wales in excess of 300 million pounds. Thus, dental tissue repair and regeneration are major clinical needs, which involve the restoration of normal structure and function after injury, dysmorphology, cancer and infectious disease. Tissue engineering is one of the most attractive biotechnologies in the biomedical field, involving the application of scientific engineering principles to the design, construction, modification, growth and maintenance of living tissues and organs from native or synthetic sources. Tissue engineering approaches currently include stem cell therapy, biomimetic materials and gene therapy.The aim of this module is to provide opportunities for the student to earn knowledge on:1) the clinical need for stem cell therapy and tissue engineering;2) stem cell biology and therapy;3) stem cell isolation, characterization and control differentiation; 4) biomaterial design and fabrication;5) tissue engineering in vitro and in vivo;6) stem cell cryopreservation, ethical and safety issues for clinical application. From this model, the students will earn knowledge on how to carry out translational research using the patient's own cells to reconstruct their own tissues with minimal pain and intervention, providing greatly increased quality of life. In the next decade, tissue engineering, especially stem cell therapy, will be rapidly developed towards a clinical reality offering new hope for many patients. The results from this study, in full or part, will lead to a possible publication in high impact journals.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the clinical need for stem cell therapy and tissue engineering in regenerative medicine and dentistry (Xuebin Yang).
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the definition, clarification and nature of the stem cells: pluropotency/multipotent, self renew, surface markers, purification (Elena Jones).
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of stem cell sources and their isolation, characterization (Elena Jones).
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the principle of tissue engineering using basic elements (stem cells, growth factors, biomimetic biomaterials and gene therapy) and their use for skeletal tissue engineering in orthpaedics and dentistry (Xuebin Yang).
5. Have a knowledge on stem cell based therapy (Control differentiation and gene therapy): how to culture and maintain the cells in different conditions in vitro and .describe the difference between the cultures on monolayer, 2D, 3D and in vivo conditions as well as Tissue engineering (in vitro & in vivo) (Xuebin Yang).
6. Demonstrate a knowledge of biominerialization and tissue engineering using self assembling peptide scaffold (Jennifer Kirkham).
7. Demonstrate an understanding of stem cell aging and prevention (Bill Bonass).
8. Have a knowledge of the need for biomaterials and design, fabrication and used of the biomaterials in vitro, in vivo and clinical application (David Wood).
9. Demonstrate a knowledge of the cryopreservation of the stem cells ¿ stem cell bank; ethical/safety issues and GMP standard facilities (Jennifer Kirkham).
10. Demonstrate a knowledge of quality control and monitoring: cell-matrix interaction, proteomics, histology and imaging analysis (Roger Shore and Steve Brookes).

Learning outcomes
The students will learn breadth and/or depth of the basic knowledge on regenerative medicine/dentistry. Opportunities will be provided for students to develop:
- interests and informed opinions of stem cell biology and therapy;
- knowledge of research or clinical application on tissue repair/ engineering;
- basic knowledge on stem cell isolation, characterization, cell/tissue culture, in vitro and in vivo models;
- knowledge of biomaterial design and use on stem cell therapy and tissues engineering;
- their involvement in the design and management of their learning activities;
- their communication of their conclusions to staff and colleagues and to receive feedback.

Syllabus

This module introduces the various aspects of stem cell biology, therapy and tissue engineering. The course has been designed to meet the needs of both basic science and clinical students who are intending to conduct research in regenerative medicine and dentistry. Emphasis is placed on stem cell isolation and control differentiation, biomaterial, in vitro tissue engineering, in vivo tissue engineering, clinical application potential and stem cell banking/ethical issue and so on. Introductory lectures are given by staff on these topics (both in dental school and medical school) - clinician, biologist, molecular biologist, material scientist, chemists, histologist and bioengineerer. Students may present seminars on ethical issues around stem cell therapy providing a written handout.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	2	2.00	4.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Tutorial	2	3.00	6.00
Private study hours			80.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will use private study time to carry out literature reviews and reading related to this topic. They will spend some time to prepare for opening discussion about their view on stem cell therapy and ethical issue. Preparation for lectures and examinations.

Revision: 32 hours
Prepare for tutorial: 9 x 2 = 18 hours
Reading for lectures: 10 x 3 = 30 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment will take place half way through the course and utilise multiple choice questions. Paper time: 2 hours.

Summative assessment will be by multiple choice questions and short answer questions at the end of this course. Paper time: 2 hours.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	5	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		0.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 00 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/12/2018

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