Copenhagen Summer University: Stem Cells – basic concepts, disease modelling and lasting therapies

Event date: 21 August 2017 to 25 August 2017

Location: Copenhagen , Denmark

Embryonic and patient-derived stem cells are extremely versatile and widely applicable in biomedical research and regenerative medicine. They are used as in vitro disease models, for drug development and to generate cell or even organ replacements for lasting therapies of devastating diseases.

This course will provide in depth insights into the current state of the art regarding somatic, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. We will provide expert insight into the basic biology of stem cells as well as into their potentials for modelling diseases, such as neurodegeneration, diabetes and skin disorders, as well as for their therapeutic use in diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, blindness due to age-related macular degeneration, heart stroke and bone remodelling. The course will also introduce state of the art gene editing.

What you will learn

After the course, you will be able to:

  • Understand research communication in detail on a broad range of stem cell issues
  • Decide which stem cell models might serve your research interest best
  • Plan the generation of stem cell-derived target cell types such as neurons, beta cells as well as osteogenic and chondrogenic cells
  • Understand and plan gene editing to repair mutations, insert mutations and generate knockouts and even insertion of whole genes
  • Diligently discuss possibilities and current limitations in regenerative medicine using stem cells

Course content

The course consist of four main subjects:

1) Basic stem cell biology: We will bring you to the forefront of the basic biological properties of different stem cell types including mesenchymal (MSC), embryonic (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem (iPSC) cells. You will acquire knowledge of the derivation and culture of these cell types. Also, you will become familiar with cell potency and direct conversion of cell fate, by which a terminally differentiated cell type can be converted into another.

2) Differentiation of stem cells: We take you on a 360 degrees tour on the generation of terminally differentiated cells from MSCs, ESCs and iPSCs relevant for disease studies of neurodegeneration, diabetes and skin disorders as well as for future lasting therapy of such diseases. Present you with the state of the art use of such differentiated cells for disease modelling including i.e. neurodegenerative disorders and skin diseases.

3) Gene editing: You will receive a thorough theoretical introduction into the basic principles of gene editing and the use of the technology for repair or introduction of specific mutations, knockouts as well as insertion of whole genes. Furthermore, you will participate in a practical session for silicon preparation of the gene editing of your choice.

4) Regenerative medicine: You will meet some of the World’s leading scientists in regenerative medicine and the latest progress in transplantation of stem cell-derived regenerative tissue for lasting therapy will be debated. We will focus on areas such as e.g. transplantation of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease, retinal epithelium pigment cells for blindness, beta cells for diabetes, MSCs for myocardial infarcts and osteogenic cells for bone repair. Likewise, we will discuss current ethical and societal challenges regarding stem cell work and regenerative medicine.

Participants

The course is intended as continuing professional development (CPD) for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, medical doctors with relation to regenerative medicine, professionals from the ethical and legal regulatory affair area, professionals from the health care sector involved in education at all levels, academic researchers and lecturers as well as specialized science journalists.

Participants should

  • Hold a bachelor degree in science, medicine or similar discipline
  • Be proficient in English

Course dates

5 days, 21 – 25 August 2017, 9:00 – 16:30 at the University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg Campus

Course directors

Poul Hyttel, Professor, Group of Stem Cells and Embryology, University of Copenhagen
Kristine Freude, Associate Professor, PhD, Group of Stem Cells and Embryology, University of Copenhagen
Vanessa Hall, Associate Professor, Group of Stem Cells and Embryology, University of Copenhagen

Other Course Teachers

Anders Björklund, Professor, Neurobiology Unit, Lund University
Moustapha Kassem, Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen
Jacqueline Ameri, Assistant Professor, Human Stem Cell Biology LaB, The Danish Stem Cell Center, University of Copenhagen
Nicolaj Strøyer Christophersen, Senior Project Manager, PhD, Novo Nordisk A/S
Yonglun Luo, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University
Malin Palmar, PhD, Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Lund University
Agnete Kirkeby, PhD, Human Neural Development, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University
Joshua Brickman, Professor of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Copenhagen
Mark Denham, Group leader, associate professor, Denham Group, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University
Karina Fog, Head of Department, Lundbeck Pharma A/S
Peter Sandøe, Professor, Section for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, University of Copenhagen
Frank Edenhofer, Professor, Genomics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Innsbruck
Hans Wandall, Professor, MD, PhD, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen
Cord Brakebusch, Professor, Section of Molecular Pathology, University of Copenhagen
Jens Kastrup, Professor, Consultant Surgeon, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet
András Dinnyes, Professor, CEO, Genetic Reprogrammer, Szent Istvan University

Course fee

EUR 2,600/DKK 19,000. Fee includes teaching, course materials, and all meals during course and examination.

To register, visit: http://copenhagensummeruniversity.ku.dk/en/courses/stemcells