The Stem Cells and Regeneration Course (formerly known as FrHESC) is an advanced training
course focused on human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research as
well as the recruitment and development of future HESC scientists
by supporting them during an intensive and comprehensive research
training experience. The anticipated ultimate goals of the FrSCR
Scholars are to join the ranks of leading investigators and physician-scientists
in solving critical concerns in stem cell biomedicine,
perhaps the most important criterion for the success of this advanced
training course. In October 2009, the FrHESC course was held in Woods Hole, MA.
FrSCR is
an intensive laboratory and lecture course designed for young
independent scientists, physicians, and established investigators
seeking comprehensive and sophisticated training in research strategies
and state-of-the-art methods on cellular, molecular and genetic
approaches for advancing the Frontiers in Human Embryonic Stem
Cell research. The course provides hands-on laboratory exercises
to teach the methods to maintain, characterize, and utilize human
embryonic stem cells, as well as to learn of their clinical potentials
through pre-clinical investigations, in accordance with NIH and
HESC provider requirements. The course’s primary focus on
HESC frontiers involves truly interdisciplinary and international
approaches owing to the diversity of HESC lines currently eligible,
as well as the wide sweeping studies that will likely benefit
from HESC applications. As such, the first half of the course
involves fundamental HESC cell and molecular biology, whereas
the second half engages pioneers across the full spectrum of NIH’s
purview.
This comprehensive, dynamic, evolving course includes the complete
array of biological and medical perspectives ranging from the
fundamental biology through clinical trials. It is designed to
consider HESCs from the following perspectives: genetics, reproductive
biology, physiology, cell biology, oral biology, neurobiology,
biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and toxicology. Because
the backgrounds and interests of participants vary, FrSCR participants
have nearly unlimited time to interact with the faculty, including
their own research fellows, for additional research training,
mentoring and/or designing HES
C experiments. Participants receive
authoritative conceptual training in all aspects of HESC research,
including, but not limited to: proper growth conditions for cell
lines, proper freeze-thaw protocols, correct techniques to passage
cells, optimal storage and shipment procedures, reliance on co-culture
for maintaining undifferentiated cell lines, and analysis of cellular,
genetic and molecular characteristics of HESCs in a rich intellectual
academic environment. The course consists of daily lectures from
resident faculty and other invited speakers, discussions and informal
seminars, laboratory exercises and demonstrations, and one-on-one
tutorials.
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The Summer College Student Program provides students with the opportunity to participate in research projects of either basic science or clinical orientation. The overall goal of the program is to promote interest in biomedical research ash a potential career. Past students have come from local colleges such as the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University as well as from distant colleges such as Kansas University and Georgia Tech. Since its inception, approximately 165 students have completed the program, and many reapply to return the next summer.
College students work with investigators from the Pittsburgh Development Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) during the 8-week program. At the end of their research experience, the students present their work to the other student participants as well as PDC and MWRI faculty. A stipend of $1500 is available to the students on a competitive basis.
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2009 Summer Undergraduate Interns
Washington and Jefferson College student Katy Ryan worked with faculty member Dr. Diane Carlisle. Her research focused on determining the ability of nicotine to affect lung development using an in vitro model of infant lung development.
Andre Tartar, from New York University, interned with Dr. Jerry Schatten to compare invertebrate models of regeneration to human embryonic stem cells. He also assisted in grant and manuscript submission.
PDC also hosted intern Leah Knobloch from Seton Hill University. Leah worked with Dr. Schatten to investigate the DNA damage response of induced pluripotency cells compared to human embryonic stem cells.
The Summer Internship Program for High School Students provides juniors and seniors in high school with the opportunity to participate in research projects of either basic science or clinical orientation. The overall goal of this program is to promote interest in biomedical research.
Students work with investigators investigators from the Pittsburgh Development Center and Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) for a four-week period. At the end of the program, the students present their work to the other participants as well as PDC and MWRI faculty. A stipend of $400 is available to the students on a competitive basis. More information...
