Introductory Course to Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture, Reprogramming, Differentiation, and Gene Editing Techniques
SYLLABUS
Course Description
We will provide foundational training on basic stem cell techniques, including human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming, human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) culture, gene editing, and differentiation. The introductory training is conducted virtually by UCLA faculty in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, a prominent member of the California biotech community and trusted provider of standardized reagents for stem cell modeling and regenerative medicine applications. This partnership leverages course materials successfully used and updated for over a decade by Thermo Fisher. UCLA Faculty will cover specific aspects of the course as neural differentiation (Dr. Michael Wells) and muscle differentiation (Dr. April Pyle) from human PSCs, and be available to answer questions (Dr. Kathrin Plath, Dr. Kitai Kim). The course gives a basic introduction to conducting human PSC-based research in their home laboratories. The course represents a component of the UCLA-CIRM Shared Resource Laboratory education activities (https://www.uclastemcellengineering.com/ucla-cirm-srl).
Course Objectives
Upon completion, participants will possess a robust knowledge of the following key stem cell laboratory techniques and new professional proficiencies:
• Best practices for proper aseptic tissue culture techniques and maintenance of lab equipment.
• Human somatic cell-to-iPSC reprogramming and identification of human iPSC colonies.
• Expansion and maintenance of human PSCs, including cryopreservation, thawing, and passaging of human PSCs, feeder-dependent and feeder-free passaging techniques.
• Human PSC differentiation into specific cell types, including neural and mesodermal lineages.
• Specific insights into the neural and muscle differentiation and gene editing services offered at the UCLA stem cell engineering core
• Techniques to characterize pluripotent stem cells and differentiated cell populations.
• Gene editing approaches in human PSCs, including tools and protocols for designing, delivering, screening, and clonal expansion of CRISPR-edited PSC lines and clones.
• Understand policy and regulation considerations and their effects on hPSC research.
• Outline considerations for clinical applications and use of human PSCs in regenerative medicine.
• Enhanced professional network through close interactions with teaching faculty, experts, and staff.
Course Format and Dates
7 virtual sessions (1.5 - 2 hours each), Mondays at 9 AM – spanning seven weeks from March 10, 2025 – April 21st, 2025. The specific lecture dates are listed below:
The individual sessions will consist of lectures by experienced stem cell biology scientists and educators from Thermo Fisher, with support from UCLA faculty. For a thorough learning experience, the lecture material will be paired with relevant e-learning resources and instructional videos.
Lecture 1: Introduction to human PSCs Monday 9 am, March 10th
Lecture 2: Reprogramming to human iPSCs Monday 9 am, March 17th
Lecture 3: Basics of feeder-free human PSC culture Monday 9 am, March 24th
Lecture 4: Advanced feeder-free human PSC culture Monday 9 am, March 31st
Lecture 5: Gene Editing on human PSCs Monday 9 am, April 7th
Lecture 6: Mesodermal differentiation (w/ Dr. Pyle) Monday 9 am, April 14th
Lecture 7: Neural differentiation in 2D/3D (w/ Dr. Wells) Monday 9 am, April 21st
Course Instructors
Thomas Forbes, PhD, Staff Scientist, Field Applications, Thermo Fisher Scientific thomas.forbes@thermofisher.com
Omar Farah, PhD, Manager, Field Applications, Thermo Fisher Scientific omar.farah@thermofisher.com
Kitai Kim, PhD, Director of the CIRM-UCLA Shared Resource Lab, knkim@mednet.ucla.edu
Kathrin Plath, PhD, PI of the CIRM-UCLA Shared Resource Lab, kplath@mednet.ucla.edu
April Pyle, PhD, Muscle Differentiation Expert, UCLA, apyle@mednet.ucla.edu
Michael Wells, PhD, Neural Differentiation Expert, UCLA, mwells@mednet.ucla.edu
Course Tuition
Free of charge through the collaboration with the Thermo Fisher Outreach program.
Course Prerequisites
• Introductory courses in cell biology and molecular biology
• Basic understanding of laboratory safety protocols
Course Materials
Course materials, including the presentation slides, session recordings, detailed protocols, eLearning modules, how-to-videos, and step-by-step guides, will be made available to the trainees. Additionally, recommendations for relevant research articles, protocols, and books to further expand the understanding of the material will be provided where relevant.
In addition to the course material, networking and mentorship opportunities with the teaching instructors will be emphasized. All instructors are willing to support the trainees during and after the course is concluded, including being a sounding board for experimental approaches, potential collaborations, career development, etc.