Instructor
Dr. Gregory Underhill
gunderhi@illinois.edu
Office: 2112 Everitt Lab
217-244-2169
Office Hours: Email Appointment
Description
Application of engineering approaches for the quantitative analysis of stem biology, including stem cell genetics and stem cell microenvironments. Design principles underlying stem cell-based therapies and diagnostics. Stem cell biomanufacturing.
Class meets Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:30 - 4:50 pm in 2233 Everitt Lab.
Textbook
None.
Reading material will be assigned from a combination of book chapters, review articles, and primary research papers.
Supplemental background reading material can be found here:
- Pittenger and Kerr, Tissue Engineering (2nd edition), Eds. Van Blitterswijk and De Boer
- StemBook
Grading
Exams
Two midterm exams (roughly 7th and 14th week of the semester). Midterm exams are closed-book exams during the normal lecture period.
Project
Students will organize into groups of approximately 3 students, select a topic from a list provided, and complete a project (oral presentation and written paper) related to stem cells. Detailed guidelines will be provided during the course. Group oral presentation will be during normal class meeting periods.
Homeworks and Group Paper Presentation
- Approximately 4-5 short answer problem sets based on assigned reading material.
Note: Students may discuss homework problems, but students must complete their own work and write up solutions independently.
- Students will also lead a class discussion of an assigned primary research paper in the stem cell field. This will be done in assigned groups (3-4 students, assigned by Prof. Underhill). The assignment schedule will be provided during the first week, along with details of the format.
Additional 598 assignments
Graduate students registered for the 598 version of the course will have 2 additional homework assignments during the semester.
487:
Homeworks/Paper Presentation 27%
Midterm Exam #1 26%
Midterm Exam #2 26%
Project (Written Paper) 21%
598:
Homeworks/Paper Presentation 25%
Midterm Exam #1 25%
Midterm Exam #2 25%
Project (Written Paper) 20%
Additional 598-only Assignments 5%
Letter grade determination:
>97% = A+; >93% = A; >89.5% = A-; >87% B+; >83% = B; >79.5% = B-; >77% = C+; >73% = C; >67% = C-
Link to Gradebook- 487
Link to Gradebok- 598
** Guidelines for Paper Presentation- Discussion Sections
** Project Introduction and Details (updated:3/23/2020)
** Final Project Groups & Topics
|
Week |
Tuesday |
Thursday |
Homework Due |
|
1/21, 1/23 |
Introduction: Types of stem cells, & course overview |
Stem Cell Basics: Identifying and isolating stem cells |
|
|
1/28, 1/30 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation (Example: Prof. Underhill) Paper: Erikkson, Nature Med |
Stem Cell Basics: Population dynamics - Additional Reading |
|
|
2/4, 2/6 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Leushacke, Cell Reports - Additional Discussion Slides - Additional Review Reading |
Stem Cell Genetics: Reprogramming |
Homework #1 Due In Class Thursday 2/6 |
|
2/11, 2/13 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Abad, Nature - Additional Discussion Slides |
Stem Cell Genetics: Epigenetics & Karyotype |
598 Students: Additional Assignment #1 Due In Class Thursday 2/13 |
|
2/18, 2/20 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Lister, Nature - Additional Discussion Slides |
Stem Cell Genetics: Genomic Scale & Single Cell Analyses |
Homework #2 Due In Class Thursday 2/20 |
|
2/25, 2/27 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: White, PNAS - Additional Discussion Slides |
Review Session
|
|
|
3/3, 3/5 |
Midterm Exam #1 |
Stem Cell Microenvironments: Niche-Mediated Regulation |
|
| 3/10, 3/12 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Hartwell, Nat Chem Biol - Additional Discussion Slides |
Stem Cell Microenvironments: Signals (Soluble, ECM): (Link to Lecture) |
|
|
3/17, 3,19 |
Spring Break |
Spring Break |
|
| 3/24, 3/26 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Soen, Mol Syst Biol - Additional Discussion Slides |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Toh, Integr Biol - Additional Discussion Slides |
Homework #3 Due Thursday 3/26 |
|
3/31, 4/2 |
Stem Cell Microenvironments: Mechanical Forces |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Gilbert, Science |
|
| 4/7, 4/9 |
Stem Cell Applications: Scale-Up Biomanufacturing |
Stem Cell Applications: Drug Screening |
Homework #4 (Project) Due Tuesday 4/7
598 Students: Additional Assignment #2 Due Thursday 4/9 |
| 4/14, 4/16 |
Discussion: Primary paper, group presentation Paper: Cutler, Blood - Additional Discussion Slides: |
Exam Topics & Sample Questions |
Homework #5 Due Thursday 4/16 |
| 4/21, 4/23 |
No Lecture |
Midterm Exam #2 (Take-Home Exam: Due 5pm Thursday 4/23, will be posted on Compass Monday 4/20) |
|
| 4/28, 4/30 |
No Lecture Project Work Week |
No Lecture Project Work Week
|
|
|
5/5 |
No Lecture Project Work Week |
No classes |
|
|
Exam Week |
Final Project Due: 5pm Wednesday 5/13 (1 copy per group, emailed to Prof. Underhill) |
|
|