Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine
Stem cells and Regenerative Medicine

The present online course in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine has a clinical focus, incorporating basic aspects of Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering. Students have the opportunity to learn about new, up to date technologies that are applicable to modern therapeutic approaches such as: stem cell applications, nanomedicine, tissue engineering. Project topics include: stem cell biology, cell therapy, tissue engineering, functionalized scaffolds, biomaterials.

The course is open to suitably qualified Greek and International graduates, holding at least a Degree in Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry or related fields. It is included in the Nanotechnology-Nanomedicine category of our online courses and it runs via a user-friendly educational platform. Once the participant completes all the units successfully, he/she receives a certificate of continuing education.

Professor of Biology, Genetics & Nanomedicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Assistant Professor of Developmental Biology

This e-­learning programme is open to suitably qualified Greek and International graduates, holding at least a Degree in Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry or related fields.

The programme provides a detailed introduction to the biology of stem cells, including, stem cell types and sources, self-­renewal, differentiation and lineage commitment. More importantly, this course introduces the mail aspects of Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative Medicine seeks to devise new therapies for patients with severe injuries or chronic diseases in which the body’s own responses do not suffice to restore functional tissue. To this end, Stem cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine introduces novel methods and strategies to replace or regenerate cells, tissue or organs in order to restore and establish normal function. The strategies used in Regenerative Medicine include stem cell based therapy, biomaterials and scaffolds seeded with cells.

In all cases, autologous or allogeneic mature functional cells (cell replacement), modified human cells (cell based gene therapy) or stem cells have been used in transplantation. There are several parameters to take under consideration for a successful cell based therapy. Basic tools for cell transplantation are the scaffolds, usually made by natural or synthetic materials with diverse bioactivity and mechanical strength. Scaffolds provide the appropriate environment for cellular growth and organogenesis. Recent studies have been focused on various applications based on stem cell transplantation based on scaffolds or biomaterials. Critical issues for Regenerative Medicine, including the type of stem cells together with the selection of the appropriate biomaterials or nanomaterials, are being analyzed in this module.

Lesson 1
CURRENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF REGENERATIVE MEDICINE 

Section 1: Introduction to Regenerative Medicine
1.1. Definition
1.2. Principles of Regenerative medicine
1.3. Basic aspects of Regenerative medicine
Section 2: Fundamentals of cell based therapies
Section 3: Stem Cell Research

Lesson 2
BIOLOGIC AND MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Section 1: Molecular Organization of Cells
Section 2: Cell interactions with the microenvironment in tissue regeneration
Section 3: Pluripotency and regenerative medicine

Lesson 3
EMBRYONIC STEM CELL TYPES

Section 1: ES Cells
Section 2: iPSCs

Lesson 4
FETAL STEM CELLS

Section 1: Amniotic fluid stem cells
Section 2: Umbilical cord blood stem cells
Section 3: Stem cells derived from other embryonic tissues

Lesson 5
ADULT STEM CELLS

Section 1: Hematopoietic stem cells
Section 2: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
Section 3: Neural stem cells
Section 4: Hepatic Stem Cells
Section 5: Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells

Lesson 6
BIOMATERIALS IN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Section 1: Biomaterials and scaffolds
Section 2: Polymers and cell-­substrate interactions
Section 3: Cell–Substrate Interactions

Lesson 7
NANOTECHNOLOGY AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Section 1: Components of a nanocarrier 
Section 2: Nanotechnology in cell based therapies
Section 3: Non-­invasive monitoring methods
Section 4: Nanotechnology as a tool for biomaterial control.

Lesson 8
EXAMPLES THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS (CELL THERAPY)

Section 1: Bone Regeneration
Section 2: Blood regeneration
Section 3: Cell-­Based Repair for Cardiovascular Regeneration and Neovascularization
Section 4: Musculoskeletal Repair
Section 5: Hepatocyte Transplantation
Section 6: Neuronal Transplantation

Lesson 9
EXAMPLES OF THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS (TISSUE ENGINEERING)

Section 1: Principles of bone tissue engineering
1.1.Bone
1.2. Scaffolding Design Criteria for Bone Tissue Engineering
1.3. Nano-­fibrous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Section 2: Principles of cartilage tissue engineering
2.1.Cartilage
2.2. Cartilage repair
2.3. Scaffolds in cartilage repair
Section 3: Principles of Ligaments tissue engineering
3.1. Ligaments
3.2. Cell therapy and Scaffolds in ligaments repair
Section 4: Principles of skin tissue engineering
4.1. Skin
4.2. Cell Therapy
4.3. Scaffolds in skin repair
Section 5: Vasculature tissue engineering
5.1. Vasculature tissue
5.2. Vasculature tissue engineering

Lesson 10
REGULATIONS AND ETHICS

Section 1: Ethical Considerations
Section 2: GMP facilities

Assessment methods employed include examinations, multiple choice questions and continuous assessment through the course. These will differ for individual units.

Online and distance training learning at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers a new way of combining innovative learning and training techniques with interaction with your tutor and fellow trainees from around the world.

The e-learning course is implemented via a user-friendly educational platform adjusted to the Distance Learning Principles. Courses are structured as weekly online meetings; interaction with the course tutor and other trainees takes place in a digital learning environment. The courses are designed to fit around your schedule; you access the course whenever it is convenient for you, however within the given deadlines.

The whole world becomes your classroom as e-learning can be done on laptops, tablets and phones as a very mobile method. Learning can be done on the train, on a plane or even during your trip to Greece!

The educational platform is a portal that offers access to electronic educational material based on modern distance learning technologies. The computer based nature of training means new technology is being introduced all the time to help trainees engage and learn in a tailored way that will meet their needs. E-learners have access to the educational platform with their personal code number in order to browse all relevant training material and interact with their instructors.

Moreover, an online communication system through own personal e-mail account is available in order to make the process easier and more interactive. Trainees can contact directly their tutors or the administration office of the course and share any concerns or anxieties related to the course in order to make the most of their experience.

Every week e-learners are provided with the relevant material, delivered either in the form of video-lectures, text notes and relevant presentations or as a combination of them. The educational material of the course is uploaded gradually, per educational unit. During the course, important info for the smooth conduct of the educational process, such as timetables for the submission of the exercises are announced on the Announcement section of the platform.

For successful completion of the course the e-learner should have fulfill her/his academic obligations, meaning should have submitted all corresponding assessment exercises and have achieved at least an average of 50% grade in the corresponding tests for each module. The score scale ranges from 0 to 100%. Finally, if the total score on one or more lessons of the course does not exceed 50%, trainees can ask for reassessment.

During the course trainees will be attending a training experience designed by academics and lecturers from the National University of Athens as well as from other Universities, Research Institutes and Cultural organizations around Greece.

Interactivity, flexibility and our long tradition guarantee that learning with us offers a successful and rewarding experience. Finally, access to a large variety of material and online resources available in each unit aims to excite your curiosity and guide you in exploring further your favourite topic. Part of the online material can be downloaded providing the chance to quickly refresh your memory after the completion of the course.

When will I receive the Certificate?

The Certificate will be sent to you electronically 30 working days upon completion, if you have no remaining academic or financial obligations. The Certificate will be also sent to you through traditional post services. Upon request the Certificate can be sent with the use of courier services. In this case, the relative cost should be covered by your side.

THEY SAID FOR US

"I would like to thank everyone that made this course possible for us! "

Triantafyllou Eleni