‘Frontiers in Human Embryonic Stem Cells' (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 FrHESC 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 2007, one FrHESC course was offered in August and a second course is currently scheduled for October:

Woods Hole, MA May 30 -June 6, 2008
Course Description
2008 Registration is now Closed

FrHESC 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.

FrHESC is a comprehensive, dynamic, evolving course that 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, FrHESC participants have nearly unlimited time to interact with the faculty, including their own research fellows, for additional research training, mentoring and/or designing HESC 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.

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 112 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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In 2007, Carlow University student Jessica Foley worked with faculty member Dr. Diane Carlisle. Her research focused on nicotine receptor expression on undifferentiated and differentiated 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...

In 2006, Elizabeth Forward High School student Samantha Horvath was selected to work with PDC faculty member Dr. Kyle Orwig focusing on male germline stem cell research.

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