Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine

at University of Sheffield

Ready yourself for an exciting career at the forefront of regenerative medicine by learning the latest in human embryonic stem cell techniques.

Through theoretical and hands-on practical skills training, you’ll explore this fast moving field. You'll cover techniques such as how to grow and culture human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) and their malignant equivalent, embryonal carcinoma cells. You’ll also learn methods for manipulating hPSCs in culture, monitoring and directing their differentiation.

Stem cell research can help to uncover some of the mysteries of life and aid the development of novel therapeutic approaches to combat disease. We’ll show you how academic labs, as well as those in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, use cutting-edge techniques to identify candidates for potential therapies.

Alongside your lab work, you’ll gain an understanding of the current controversies in the field and the limitations and potential applications of tissue engineering for medical applications, drug discovery and food manufacturing.

The most substantial part of the course is the research project. You’ll spend three months researching an area of stem cell biology or regenerative medicine that matches your future career aspirations from a range of projects. This may include exploring cancer stem cells in brain tumours, RNAi therapeutics or Covid proteins.

Example research projects include:
 

• Characterisation of subpopulations of otic progenitors derived from human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs)

• Control of Skeletal muscle stem cell proliferation

• Patched 1 function in skeletal muscle stem cells and its implication in muscle wasting

• Examining the effect of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mutations on the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells

Our Centre for Stem Cell Biology is internationally recognised as a leading facility for stem cell teaching and research. Our scientists have developed clinical grade, human stem cell lines here at the University of Sheffield which are now distributed by the UK Stem Cell bank for potential use in research and medical therapies. It’s research like this that you’ll be exposed to throughout your degree.