SMOK26001U Organ-Specific Stem Cells in Homeostasis and Disease

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry

MSc Programme in Biology

MSc Programme in Biology with a minor subject

MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine

Content

This course builds upon fundamental knowledge of development and pluripotency to explore the biology of stem cells in adult organs. It will also cover the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to organoids and organ specific cell types. The curriculum focuses on organ-specific stem cells, their role in maintaining tissue homeostasis, their involvement in disease processes like cancer, generating these cell types from pluripotent cells and their potential for regenerative medicine. Each week is dedicated to a major organ system, covering its adult stem cell populations, developmental origin, and the generation of functional cell types from pluripotent stem cells for modelling and therapy. The course culminates in an overview of the regulatory landscape, Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), and clinical trials, providing a crucial link between basic research and clinical application.

Learning Outcome

By attending the course the student will achieve:

 

Knowledge:

  • The identity, characteristics, and niche interactions of stem cells in major adult organ systems (e.g., blood, skin, intestine, liver, pancreas, brain, kidney, heart, muscle).
  • How organ-specific stem cells contribute to tissue homeostasis, repair, and disease, particularly cancer.
  • The developmental pathways that give rise to specific organ stem cells.
  • The strategies and challenges involved in differentiating pluripotent stem cells into functional organ-specific cell types and complex organoids.
  • The regulatory requirements (GMP, ATMPs) and clinical trial phases for translating stem cell-based therapies into the clinic.

 

Skills:

  • Compare and contrast the stem cell paradigms across different organ systems, identifying common principles and unique adaptations.
  • Critically evaluate evidence for the existence and function of putative stem cells in different tissues.
  • Describe the process of generating and utilizing organoids from adult tissue stem cells and pluripotent stem cells for disease modelling and drug screening.
  • Explain the protocols for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into specific functional cell types (e.g., hematopoietic cells, beta cells, hepatocytes, neurons, cardiomyocytes) and assess the functionality of the resulting cells.
  • Detail the path from basic research discovery to clinical application, including the principles of GMP manufacturing and clinical trial design for cell-based therapies.
  • Analyze and present original scientific literature on organ-specific stem cells and their applications.

 

Competences:

The student will be competent to integrate knowledge of developmental biology, adult stem cell physiology, and disease mechanisms to design and critically assess strategies for regenerative medicine. They will understand the full translational pipeline, from bench to bedside.

See Absalon for a list of course literature, which will comprise selected textbook chapters and primary research articles.

The course will be taught through lectures, discussion sessions focusing on the seminal and recent primary literature. Problem sets based on the course literature are part of the course activities and preparation for the examination but are not included in the final grading. One out of two exam events is Continuous assessment during the course, where the students hand in a written essay and make an associated oral presentation during the course.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 107
  • Exercises
  • 21
  • Project work
  • 48
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Collective
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
On-site written exam, 2 hours under invigilation
Type of assessment details
The final grade is based on two exam events:
1) Continuous assessment: A written essay with an associated oral presentation submitted and presented during the course.

2) Written on-site examination (2 hours) held during the block exam week.

Each examination event is assessed and weighted individually, and the final grade is determined based on this. The two exam events are weighted equally (50:50) in the final assessment.

Students must pass all examination events individually to pass the overall exam.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

1) Continuous assessment:
Aids: All aids allowed. Read about how to use generative AI on KUnet (link to SUND AI guidelines)

2) Written on-site examination:
Written aids allowed: Only notes and books are allowed.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

The re-exam consists of:
1) Oral exam on basis of previous submission:
The submission (Written essay) must be handed in 2 weeks prior to the re-exam. If the submission is not fulfilled, the student cannot take the oral exam.

Aids: All aids allowed. Read about how to use generative AI on KUnet (link to SUND AI guidelines)
 

2) Written on-site examination (2 hours).

Aids: Written aids allowed: Only notes and books are allowed.
 

The oral presentation and written examination will take place on the same day in the re-exam week of the block.

Each examination event is assessed and weighted individually, and the final grade is determined based on this. The two exam events are weighted equally (50:50) in the final assessment. 
Students must pass all examination events individually to pass the overall exam. 

If ten or fewer students have signed up for re-exam, the Written on-site examination (2 hours) will be changed to oral exam:
Duration: 20 min. with 20 min. preparation and without exam aids.

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12, the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.