Regenerative Medicine

Photo: David Naylor | Uppsala Universitetshus

Content

The course aims to provide insight into the current knowledge, future potential use and development of regenerative medicine. Different kinds of stem cells will be discussed as well as tissue engineering and their applications in accelerating the healing process to restore injured or damaged tissues and organs. Basic stem cell biology as well as cellular programming and reprogramming will be covered. Clinical applications of regenerative medicine for diseases, such as autoimmune and neuronal diseases, diabetes, and cancer, will be discussed as well as cell and gene therapy.

Laboratory practicals involve stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and specialization analysis using flow cytometry, TaqMan array, and immunofluorescence. Students gain hands-on experience in cell culture, sterile techniques, and essential lab protocols.

Additionally, the course will cover new technologies and models in regenerative medicine, including neuroprosthetics and advanced cell models designed to reduce the use of animals in research. Students will explore how these approaches are improving regenerative therapies and research practices.

The ethical considerations in regenerative medicine will be discussed, and current clinical applications will be illustrated. Development of novel approaches for enhancement, replacement or repair of cells as well as tissues and organs using bioengineered cellular methods and next generation biomaterials will be covered during the course. Criteria in good laboratory/manufacturing practice (GLP/GMP) for applications in regenerative medicine will be discussed as well as policies and commercial development.

Instruction

Instruction is provided in English in the form of lectures and mandatory seminars, laboratory exercises, and study visits.