Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Cell Therapy

• code 13567
• course 3
• term Semester 2
• type OB
• credits 6

Module: ADVANCED TRAINING

Matter: MEDICINE III

Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Head instructor

Dra. Begoña María BOSCH - bbosch@uic.es

Office hours

Please send an email to set up a meeting: 

Yolanda de Roo: yjderoo@uic.es  

Begoña Bosch: bbosch@uic.es

Èlia Bosch: ebosch@uic.es

The subject Cell Therapy will show students how different cell types may be used as a curative or regenerative therapy. It will explore the different types of stem cells and their functions in different tissues, in addition to cellular modification strategies aimed at differentiating the desired cell type. Lastly, the course will explain some of the latest developments in the field of Bioengineering, including how biomaterials help enhance cell therapy and, by doing so, lead to better clinical results. 

Cellular and molecular Biology

Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

Tissue engineering

• To become familiar with the different types of cells suitable for use in cell therapy
• To understand cell reprogramming strategies
• To become familiar with the techniques for harvesting cells
• To understand the limitations of cell therapy
• To become familiar with the different applications of biomaterials in cell therapy
• To interpret scientific papers on various topics and define a better strategy

• CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
• CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
• CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
• CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• CE16 - To apply specific Bioengineering terminology both verbally and in writing in a foreign language.
• CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
• CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
• CG4 - To resolve problems based on initiative, be good at decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning and communication, as well as the transmission of knowledge, skills and prowess in the field of Bioengineering
• CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
• CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.
• CT6 - To detect gaps in your own knowledge and overcome this through critical reflection and choosing better actions to broaden your knowledge.
• CT7 - To be fluent in a third language, usually English, with a suitable verbal and written level that is in line with graduate requirements.

At the end of this course, students will be able to: 

• Interpret cell therapy-related research and clinical cases
• Understand cell modulation strategies and how biomaterials improve their action
• Develop a critical opinion and be able to defend it through an oral presentation

CLASSICAL CELL THERAPY

1. Introduction to cell therapy
2. Stem cells: general aspects and types
   1. Hematopoietic stem cells: Principal use and harvesting techniques. 
   2. Mesenchymal stem cells: principal use and harvesting techniques
   3. Pluripotent stem cells: principal use and harvesting techniques
   4. Other types of stem cells
   5. Genetic editing: Strategies and techniques

BIOMATERIALS AND CELL THERAPY

1. Biomaterials and cell therapy
2. Applications of biomaterials in cell therapy
   1. Vacular tissue
   2. Bone tissue
   3. Cartilague tissue
   4. Neuronal tissue
3. Personalized cell therapy

Project: Applied case on cell therapy

The student will have to write a research proposal. The student will have to present and defend the project through a critical study of the content and suggest a better strategy for cell therapy approach. 

The course will be given with theoretical lectures, lab practices and with presentation of student projects. In the theoretical lectures, all the concepts of cell therapy will be explained and also the application of this typo of therapy in the regeneration of different tissues. The presentations will be given by the students about their conceptual understanding of an actual cell therapy approach. 

First sitting: 

1) Lab report: 10%

2) Midterm exam: 20%

3) Project: 30%

4) Final exam: 40%

Second sitting: The same assesment criteria will be applied in the second sitting of the exam, without the possibility of obtaining a distinction with honors. Students who have not passed the course in the first sitting will have the opportunity to retake the final exam.

Important considerations: 

1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be
   zero in that evaluation section. Besides, plagiarism during exams will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
2. The laboratory session and the individual project have obligatory participation to pass the course. 
3. A minimal mark of 4,5 should be obtained in the final exam and in the individual project to pass the course.
4. Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted. 
5. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.

• Stem Cells and Cell Therapy. Mohamed Al-Rubeai, Mariam Naciri. Springer Netherlands (2013). ISBN: 9400771959, 9789400771956.
• Cell Therapy: Current Status and Future Directions. Dwaine F. Emerich, Gorka Orive. Springer (2017). ISBN: 3319571532, 9783319571539.

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

• E1 26/05/2021 14:00h P2A03
• E2 28/06/2021 14:00h A09