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 training.
Participant Profile
Programme Aims
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.
Programme Description
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
Assessement Method
Training Methodology
The e-learning programme is implemented via a user-friendly educational platform adjusted to the Distance Learning Principles. Programmes are structured as weekly online meetings; interaction with the programme tutor and other students takes place in a virtual learning environment. The programmes are designed to fit around your schedule; you access the programme whenever it is convenient for you.
The whole world becomes your classroom as e-learning can be done on laptops, tablets and phones – it is a very mobile method.
The educational platform is a portal that offers access to electronic classrooms based on modern distance learning technologies. The computer based nature of training means new technology is being introduced all the time to help students engage and learn in a tailored way that will meet their needs. Each e-classroom is similar to a traditional teaching classroom. Students have access to e-classrooms with their personal code number in order to browse the teaching material, to being informed about the latest news/updates and interact with their instructors. Moreover, through own personal e-mail account through which they can contact directly their mentors or the administration office of the programme and share any concerns or anxieties related to the programme and make the most form their experience.
In each programme, learners submit the corresponding tests, within the deadline given by their instructors. Final mark fluctuates from 0 to 100%. The overall grade in each programme is calculated based on the student’s marks on assessment exercises that follow each unit while their instructor might also assign them with a final assessment at the end of the programme. Finally, if the total score on one or more lessons of the programme does not exceed 50%, students can ask for reassessment.
During the programme students will be attending lectures and group seminars presented by academics and speakers from the National University of Athens as well as from other Universities, Research Institutes and Cultural organizations around Greece. In addition, when you study with us, you have online access to first-class resources relevant to your programme – plus you can browse material in other subject areas.
Every week e-learners are provided with the relevant material , either video-lectures or typed notes and relevant resources or a combination of both.
Interactivity, lower costs and our long experience guarantees that studying with us will offer a successful and rewarding experience. Finally, the access to a large variety of material and online resources available in each unit aims to excite your curiosity and guide you in studying further on your favourite topic will the online material which can be downloaded will give you the opportunity to quickly refresh your memory after the completion of the programme.