Core Concepts in Stem Cell Biology: 1 Syllabus and Learning Guide
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Core Concepts in Stem Cell Biology: 1 Syllabus and Learning Guide Annotated with Foundational Literature Version 1.0, November 2020 www.isscr.org www.isscr.org 2 ON THE COVER Dopaminergic neurons derived from an embryoid body, a three-dimensional aggregation of pluripotent stem cells Achaete-scute homolog 1 (Ascl1) in red stains a pioneer transcription factor involved in neuronal differentiation, Tyrosine Hydroxylase in green plays an important role in neuronal physiology, and Tubulin Beta 3 Class III (Tubb3) in blue is expressed in axons. Credit: Begum Aydin, Mazzoni Lab, New York University, USA. DISCLAIMER The ISSCR is providing these educational resources to aid in course preparation. It is incumbent upon the individual user to ensure that the material they present is up-to-date and properly presented. These resources are made possible due to the hard work and dedication of the ISSCR Education Committee. If you have any questions or feedback please contact Julie Perlin, PhD, Scientific Communications and Education Manager, at [email protected]. © 2020, International Society for Stem Cell Research. All rights reserved. Core Concepts in Stem Cell Biology: Syllabus and Learning Guide VERSION 1.0 NOVEMBER 2020 future. Stem cell science is an incredibly vibrant and impactful field that is constantly changing. It is the Preface responsibility of the instructor to make sure that the material is up to date and presented properly. As a committee, we will update the content regularly, and we welcome feedback to help us enhance these re- Dear Stem Cell Community and Educators, sources to best serve your needs as a teaching tool. The first time I was tasked to put together a course We know that often there is a lack of education about on stem cell biology, I realized that there were insuf- stem cells in universities or at medical schools, which ficient resources available to help create a syllabus may contribute to the proliferation of unproven stem 3 and identify key topics and materials. It became clear cell treatments that put people at risk. We hope that I was not the only one who felt this way. Moreover, by making stem cell education more accessible, we the lack of resources has contributed to misinforma- can help teach the next generation of researchers, tion regarding stem cell biology and clinical treat- medical professionals, and consumers worldwide. ments. To help address this need, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Education Thank you to the hard work of the ISSCR Education Committee has prepared a syllabus and learning Committee for making this resource possible, and for the guide to aid instructors so that they have a place to support of the ISSCR Board of Directors. We hope that start when building their own course. this learning guide enhances your teaching experience. We have identified eight key topics in stem cell Sincerely, biology and created corresponding teaching mod- Esteban Mazzoni, PhD ules, each with learning objectives, core concepts, (Chair of the ISSCR Education Committee) a bibliography of primary and secondary literature, New York University, USA and annotated foundational papers. Through these topic-centered modules, the course examines differ- EDUCATION COMMITTEE ent types of stem cells found in the body and used in the lab, dissects the critical concepts of pluripo- Esteban Mazzoni, PhD (Chair) Yuin Han Jonathan Loh, PhD New York University, USA Institute of Molecular and Cell tency, specification, and differentiation, and covers Biology, Singapore cutting-edge technologies used to study stem cells. William J. Anderson, PhD Harvard University, USA Lolitika Mandal, PhD Moreover, the course explores how stem cells are Indian Institute of Science Sina Bartfeld, PhD Education and Research being translated for clinical application and the corre- University of Wuerzburg, Mohali, India sponding ethical questions that arise from this use. Germany Zubin Master, PhD Anna Margaret Smith Couturier Mayo Clinic, USA This resource is intended for those who are teaching EuroStemCell, UK stem cell biology and related topics to undergrad- Alysson Renato Muotri, PhD Yvanka de Soysa, PhD University of California, San Diego, uate students, early graduate students, or medical Boston Children’s Hospital, USA USA students. The learning guide is designed to be flex- Robin Scott Hawley, PhD Jose Maria Polo, PhD ible and adaptable. It can be used to plan a semes- Stowers Institute for Medical Monash University, Australia Research, USA ter-long course that delves deep into each core topic Julie Perlin, PhD Ping Hu, PhD International Society for Stem or adjusted to teach an abbreviated overview. Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry Cell Research and Cell Biology Chinese This learning guide is a first step that we will build Academy of Sciences, China upon, incorporating new types of resources in the www.isscr.org IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY CONCEPTS FOR THE COURSE IN GENERAL Course Description 1. Necessary vs. sufficient 2. Model systems used 3. Key signaling pathways 4. Key lab techniques (Thomas and Capecchi, 1987) What defines a stem cell? How many types of stem 5. Mechanisms we can borrow from embryology to cells are there? How do cells that have the potential to mimic differentiation in a dish become any cell in the body gain specific identity and 6. Disease modeling function? How can stem cells be used to understand 7. Regenerative medicine and treat diseases? What are the ethical considerations 4 of stem cell science? These are the types of questions ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: we will delve into during the “Introduction to Stem Cell This course is intended for undergraduate students, early Biology” course. Through topic-centered modules, the graduate students, or medical students interested in stem class examines the different types of stem cells found cell biology. This course assumes a working knowledge in the body and studied in the lab, dissects the key of basic cellular, molecular, and developmental biology. concepts of pluripotency, specification, and differen- tiation, and covers cutting-edge technologies used to Textbooks that cover pre-requisite material study stem cells. Moreover, the course explores how ■ Developmental Biology, 12th edition, 2019 by Michael stem cells are being translated for clinical application Barresi and Scott Gilbert, Oxford University Press. and the related ethical questions. The class emphasizes ■ Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition, 2017 by molecular genetic regulation of each step. At the end Bruce Alberts, Garland Science. Or similar intro- of the course, students will have a basic understanding ductory cell biology textbook. of stem cell biology and be able to build upon this in ■ Stem Cells for Dummies, 1st Edition, 2010 by upper-level courses. Because the syllabus is anchored Lawrence S.B. Goldstein. by peer-reviewed primary literature, the material can Online Resources that provide supplemental be used to develop higher-level skills necessary for material for students and educators thinking like a scientist. Classic experiments can be ■ A Closer Look at Stem Cells: Learn about stem cells. used for conceptual knowledge or further dissected ■ EuroStemCell: Education resources. to understand hypothesis generation, experimental ■ Society for Developmental Biology: Education design logic, result interpretation, and discussion. resources and Collaborative Resources for Learn- COURSE MODULES: ing Developmental Biology. 1. Introduction to Stem Cell Biology ■ Genetics Society of America: Primer in genetics. 2. Introduction to Development ■ HHMI: BioInteractive resources. 3. Pluripotency and Reprogramming In Vitro ■ Michael Barresi lab: Developmental Tutorials and 4. Adult Stem Cells and Regeneration Developmental Documentaries. 5. Directed Differentiation and Transdifferentiation ■ iBiology Research Talks: Development and Stem Cells. 6. Leveraging Tools to Study Stem Cell Biology Teaching resources for educators 7. Clinical Applications of Stem Cell Biology ■ American Society for Cell Biology: Getting started 8. Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research in teaching and Education Toolkit. ■ EuroStemCell: Stem Cell Teacher Tool Kit. ■ Genetics Society of America: Core concepts and Education resources. Core Concepts in Stem Cell Biology: Syllabus and Learning Guide VERSION 1.0 NOVEMBER 2020 Table of Contents Module 1: Introduction to Stem Cell Biology 6 Module 5: Directed Differentiation and 16 1. What defines a stem cell? 7 Transdifferentiation 2. Types of stem cells 7 1. In vivo differentiation 17 3. Stem cells in vivo 7 2. Specification during development 17 4. Stem cells in vitro 7 3. Specification in adults 17 5 4. In vitro differentiation 17 Module 2: Introduction to Development 8 5. Transdifferentiation and direct programming 17 1. Early development: fertilization, totipotency, and 9 pluripotency Module 6: Leveraging Tools to Study Stem Cell Biology 18 2. Gastrulation and lineage commitment in the early 9 1. Editing the stem cell genome 19 embryo 2. In vivo tools in stem cell biology 19 3. Mechanisms of cell fate determination in vivo 9 3. Computational tools to dissect stem cell 19 4. Specification and development of primordial 9 heterogeneity germ cells 4. In vitro cultures of adult stem cells to analyze 19 differentiation capacity Module 3: Pluripotency and Reprogramming In Vitro 10 1. Establishment of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) 11 Module 7: Clinical Applications of Stem Cell Biology 20 2. Characterizations of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) 11 1. Overview