Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine is referred to as the medicine of future with the potential to have an impact on conditions as varied as spinal injury, coronary heart disease and type 1 diabetes. (https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/stem-cells-and-regenerative-medicine/201810#campus). Many universities offer Masters and PhD courses.

The University of Southern California offers Master’s in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. This is a one year program based on biomedical science, including developmental biology, human embryology, regenerative medicine, and translational and therapeutic aspects of stem cell technology. The University says that this course is helpful to obtain a “unique understanding of how the body’s own developmental and repair mechanisms can restore damaged cells, tissues and organs—providing new opportunities to treat conditions ranging from blindness to cancer, from organ failure to HIV/AIDS.” (https://scrm.usc.edu/)

The Stanford Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (SCBRM) program offers Master’s and Doctoral studies in SCBRM. The department says that “the doctoral education that translates basic science to clinical applications, typically referred to as Translational Science, and of intense interest internationally in medical schools and universities.” The “doctoral program provides exceptional didactic education and research experience in the basic sciences underlying stem cell biology.”  (http://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/schoolofmedicine/stemcellbiologyandregenerativemedicine/#text)

The University of Sheffield runs an MSc Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine program which leads “to international research in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and the molecular and cellular basis of disease” (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/purescience/biomedical/stem-cell-regenerative-medicine-msc). The University of Nottingham also has an MSc in Stem Cell Technology and Regenerative Medicine. (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/courses/medicine/medical-sciences/stem-cell-technology-msc.aspx)

The University of Chester runs an M.Sc. in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. If a student has a biomedical or clinical research interest, successful completion of the MSc will allow them to directly register onto PhD study and join the team of researchers at the Institute of Medicine. (https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/stem-cells-and-regenerative-medicine/201810#campus).

Newcastle University offers MRes (Master of Research) in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine which “involves a working knowledge of scientific research”. The course allows students to experience an internationally competitive research area, predominantly in academia but also potentially in industry. (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/degrees/stem-cells-regenerative-medicine-mres/#profile). The University of Southampton also offers MRes in Stem Cells, Development and Regenerative Medicine. The MRes is organised by the Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells & Regeneration (CHDSCR) (http://stemcells.org.uk/) which undertakes fundamental research into early development and stem cells, together with applied translational research targeting the NHS and patient benefit. (https://www.southampton.ac.uk/medicine/postgraduate/research_degrees/degrees/mres-in-stem-cells-development-and-regenerative-medicine.page)

Some universities call their programme Master’s in Regenerative Medicine. The NUI Galway has an MSc in Regenerative Medicine and “focuses on stem cells, gene therapy and tissue engineering, focussing on how they can be applied to develop new therapeutics”. “This course is administered by the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), a world-class biomedical research institute. REMEDI’s main focus is to use cells and genes to regenerate healthy tissues that can be used to repair or replace other tissues and organs with a minimally invasive approach.” (http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/regenerative-medicine.html). The Queen Mary University of London also offers MSc in Regenerative Medicine which provides “advanced, multi-disciplinary training in the scientific principles and clinical applications of regenerative medicine, and is delivered jointly by Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and the School of Engineering and Materials Science”. (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/coursefinder/courses/164872.html). The MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) based at the University of Edinburgh offers Ph.D. in Regenerative Medicine focusing on “stem cells, disease and tissue repair to advance human health” and the goal of this program is “developing new treatments for major diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, and liver failure.” (https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&edition=2018&id=695)

Auston University, Singapore offers combination of theoretical and practical based M.Sc. in Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (http://www.aston.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-programmes/life-health-sciences/msc-stem-cells-and-regenerative-medicine/). Ankara University, Turkey, offers a theoretical and research based Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Master Program. (http://bbs.ankara.edu.tr/Amac_Hedef.aspx?bno=3347&bot=1002).

Some universities offers very specific subject oriented courses in Regenerative Medicine like the University of Bradford which runs an MSc in Skin Sciences and Regenerative Medicine which focuses on mainly skin and says that “The skin is a particularly useful model as it contains very active stem cells and is a relatively accessible source of human cells. The unique human regenerative capacity of the hair follicle is particularly interesting. Follicles shed their hairs during frequent growth cycles regenerating new replacements; these may resemble previous ones or differ in size and/or colour (e.g. beard hairs replacing tiny facial hairs).” (https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/pg/skin-sciences-regenerative-medicine/).

The University College London offers MSc in Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine which “equips students with critical understanding of how nanotechnology can be harnessed for the improved detection and treatment of disease, the use of stem cells in medicine, tissue engineering strategies for tissue regeneration, improving biomaterials for directing cell behaviour, the regulatory, ethical and commercial hurdles for the translation of these emerging technologies.” (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/nanotechnology-regenerative-medicine-msc)

In a similar fashion, The University of Manchester has an MRes program in Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine which focuses on “strategies to repair, replace and regenerate various tissues and organs to solve major clinical problems, gaining insights into topical issues including stem cells, polymer technology, biomaterial fabrication/characterisation and gene delivery.” (https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/list/06439/mres-tissue-engineering-for-regenerative-medicine/course-details/#course-profile). The Swansea University has an MSc by Research in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicines. (http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/engineering/msc-by-research-tissue-engineering-and-regenerative-medicine/#key-features=is-expanded&description=is-expanded&entry-requirements=is-expanded&how-to-apply=is-expanded&tuition-fees=is-expanded&additional-costs=is-expanded), the FH Technikum Wein, University of Applied Sciences offers Master’s Degree Program in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicines and is offered as a double degree program in cooperation with the Experimental and Medical Biosciences master’s degree program at Linköping University (LiU) in Sweden (https://www.technikum-wien.at/en/study_programs/master_s/tissue_engineering_and_regenerative_medicine/)