[*SCRB 91r. Introduction to Research] - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 75408
William J. Anderson and members of the Department
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Hours to be arranged.
Laboratory research in topics related to the Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology Concentration under the direction of, or approved by, members of the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Principal Faculty of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, or others with permission. A paper must be submitted to the laboratory sponsor and to the HDRB Concentration Office for review by the Course Director and Head Tutors.
Note: Expected to be given in 2010–11. Limited to Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology Concentrators; written permission of the laboratory sponsor must be submitted to the HDRB Concentration Office prior to enrolling in the course. This introductory research course is intended to prepare students for SCRB 99 and may ordinarily be repeated no more than once. Ordinarily may not be taken as a fifth course. Laboratory safety session required.
[*SCRB 99. Laboratory Research for Honors Thesis] - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 23886
William J. Anderson and Members of the Department
Full course. Hours to be arranged.
For honors candidates writing a thesis in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology.
Note: Expected to be given in 2010–11. Ordinarily may not be taken as a fifth course. Laboratory safety session required.
Prerequisite: Students intending to enroll in the fall are required to submit a written proposal to the Course Director. Students may enter the course at midyear only with the permission of the Course Director. The thesis proposal must be approved by the Course Director and Head Tutors prior to enrolling in SCRB 99.
SCRB 155. Epigenetic Regulation in Development - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 63211
Alexander Meissner
Half course (spring term). Tu., Th., 11:30–1. EXAM GROUP: 13, 14
Cloning of Dolly the sheep suggests that all of our cells have exactly the same genes as a fertilized egg. If this is true, then how is it that each of our cells reads out those genes differently? This course will explain the developmental events that regulate the expression of genes, as well as how this developmental expression is established and maintained.
Prerequisite: Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a; Life Sciences 1b; MCB 52 or permission of the instructor.
SCRB 160. Experimental Embryology - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 45194 Enrollment: Limited to 16.
Paola Arlotta and Konrad Hochedlinger
Half course (fall term). M., 2–6. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8, 9
This advanced laboratory course will apply experimental approaches and surgical techniques to illustrate critical developmental events during mouse embryogenesis. Particular emphasis will be placed on experiments covering the following topics: fertilization and pre-implantation embryology; reprogramming of adult somatic cells into embryonic stem cells; early organ development; and surgical manipulation of late stage mouse embryos in utero.
Prerequisite: Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a; Life Sciences 1b; SCRB 10 or MCB 118 or MCB 54.
SCRB 165. Directed Differentiation of Stem Cells
Catalog Number: 9605 Enrollment: Limited to 16.
Chad A. Cowan
Half course (spring term). Tu., at 3; Th., 1–4. EXAM GROUP: 15, 16, 17
This practical laboratory course will investigate the fundamental biology of human embryonic stem cells and their remarkable capacity to differentiate into all cells of the body. The underlying developmental pathways that guide embryonic stem cell development into these differentiated cell types will be explored. A chemical biology approach will also be used to probe properties of normal and disease model cells derived from embryonic stem cells.
Prerequisite: Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a, or permission of instructor.
SCRB 167. What does Human Disease Teach Us About Mammalian Biology?
Catalog Number: 9556 Enrollment: Limited to 10. For advanced students only, seniors and qualified juniors.
George Q. Daley (Medical School), Kenneth R. Chien (Medical School), David T. Scadden, and Leonard I. Zon (Medical School)
Half course (spring term). Th., 2–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Stem cells are the basis for tissue maintenance and repair, thus, are essential elements of normal organ and tissue physiology. Stem cells are also targets for disease processes and through transplantation are important therapeutic agents. This course will allow advanced undergraduates to explore how stem cells and tissue regeneration impact human disease pathogenesis and how stem cells might be exploited to advance new therapies for disease.
Note: Two hour clinical: Thursday at Children’s Hospital Boston, 7th Floor Karp Building, Conference Rm. One hour discussion section immediately following.
Prerequisite: Life and Physcial Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a; Life Sciences 1b; MCB 52 or MCB 54.
SCRB 180. Repair and Regeneration in the Mammalian Brain - (New Course)
Catalog Number: 60301
Jeffrey D. Macklis (Medical School) and Paola Arlotta
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 2:30-4, and a weekly discussion section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
This course will discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration and repair in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). We will: compare and contrast aspects of neural development with adult neural plasticity; discuss limitations to neuronal regeneration in the mature mammalian CNS following degeneration or injury; examine CNS regeneration approaches directed at overcoming intrinsic limitations; and explore developmental controls and gene manipulation to promote neurogenesis, axonal regeneration, and directed differentiation in the diseased adult brain.
Prerequisite: Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a; Life Sciences 1b; SCRB 10 or MCB 80 or permission of the instructor.
SCRB 190. Understanding Aging: Degeneration, Regeneration, and the Scientific Search for the Fountain of Youth
Catalog Number: 1207
Amy J. Wagers and Lee L. Rubin
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
This lecture and discussion course will explore the fundamental molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern organismal aging and contemporary strategies to delay or reverse this process.
Prerequisite: Life and Physical Sciences A or Life Sciences 1a; Life Sciences 1b; MCB 54.