BIOCHEM 731 / Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

3 unit(s)

Staff

isease and development that are difficult to ascertain in cell lines or in the mouse. Arguably, the most impactful role of human stem cells is for tissue repair that becomes damaged from diseases or injury; examples include diabetes and spinal cord injury. This utility of stem cells is heavily seeded in new approaches to the clinic called “regenerative medicine.” However, there are many stem cell types that may be specific to certain applications, and new technologies involved with stem cell delivery and differentiation that require elucidation before these stem cell-based replacement therapies can be robustly brought to the bedside. The underlying biology that defines stem cells, and their potential applications to human health, will be discussed broadly to better define the current successes and future limitations of regenerative medicine using human stem cells.