Introduction to Stem Cells

Stem cell biology sits at the intersection of developmental biology, molecular genetics, and regenerative medicine, and this course is really about understanding why some cells stay capable of becoming anything while others lock into a single fate — and how we can exploit or hijack that logic. You'll work through the molecular basis of self-renewal and differentiation across embryonic, adult, and cancer stem cells, present and discuss primary literature, and engage with topics like 3D bioprinting, cloning, and cell-based therapies alongside their ethical weight. It builds naturally on the cell and molecular biology core, and gives you the vocabulary to follow translational research — from cancer dedifferentiation to clinical trials — that increasingly shapes modern MBG.