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30th August - 6th September | 2006 | Sheffield| UK

	Programme The course will include lectures covering the background and concepts in stem cell research while the practical course itself will be focused upon basic techniques for culturing and working with human ES cells. All students will gain experience of the following:

Basic culture techniques for human ES cells, including preparation of feeder layers, splitting and passaging the ES cells on feeders or using conditioned medium, and methods for cryopreservation and recovery of stocks. A number of different approaches to passaging and maintenance will be included, such as the use of enzymatic dispersion, scraping and microscopic ‘cutting and pasting’; also students will work with different human ES cell lines using different passaging procedures. They will also be taught how to culture and use human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Methods for monitoring and quality control of human ES cell cultures; including the use of immunoassays, especicially flow cytofluorimetry for surface marker antigen expression, and western blotting and in situ immunostaining, and RT.PCR techniques for detection of marker expression. Karyotype and cell cycle analysis techniques will also be included. Advanced culture techniques, including cloning of human ES cell lines, sorting using fluorescence activated cell sorting, and time lapse imaging of cultures. Techniques for genetic manipulation of human ES cells, including transient and stable transfection and the use of RNA interference, also using transient siRNA and stable inducible systems Methods for inducing and monitoring differentiation of human ES cells, including the use of embryoid body and other induction techniques (use of retinoic acid and other chemical inducers), and methods for monitoring differentiation
In addition a series of lectures will focus on the background to working with ES cells, as well as the legal and ethical issues involved with working with human ES cells. Students will have an opportunity to present their own research work both by oral presentations and poster.

Programme

The course will include lectures covering the background and concepts in stem cell research while the practical course itself will be focused upon basic techniques for culturing and working with human ES cells. All students will gain experience of the following:

Basic culture techniques for human ES cells, including preparation of feeder layers, splitting and passaging the ES cells on feeders or using conditioned medium, and methods for cryopreservation and recovery of stocks. A number of different approaches to passaging and maintenance will be included, such as the use of enzymatic dispersion, scraping and microscopic ‘cutting and pasting’; also students will work with different human ES cell lines using different passaging procedures. They will also be taught how to culture and use human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells.
Methods for monitoring and quality control of human ES cell cultures; including the use of immunoassays, especicially flow cytofluorimetry for surface marker antigen expression, and western blotting and in situ immunostaining, and RT.PCR techniques for detection of marker expression. Karyotype and cell cycle analysis techniques will also be included.
Advanced culture techniques, including cloning of human ES cell lines, sorting using fluorescence activated cell sorting, and time lapse imaging of cultures.
Techniques for genetic manipulation of human ES cells, including transient and stable transfection and the use of RNA interference, also using transient siRNA and stable inducible systems
Methods for inducing and monitoring differentiation of human ES cells, including the use of embryoid body and other induction techniques (use of retinoic acid and other chemical inducers), and methods for monitoring differentiation

In addition a series of lectures will focus on the background to working with ES cells, as well as the legal and ethical issues involved with working with human ES cells. Students will have an opportunity to present their own research work both by oral presentations and poster.

"Working with stem cells "

Programme