The Intrinsic Regenerative Capacity of the Human Body
Volledige vakbeschrijving
In the course “The Intrinsic Regenerative Capacity of the Human Body”, students will complement their obtained knowledge on biology and medicine as they are exposed to the ability the human body has to regenerate. Defects due to injuries or diseases disrupt tissues. Many tissue and organs possess an endogenous ability to regenerate. For example, skin, bone, and gut all have the ability to heal after injury in case the defects are not too large. Conversely, some tissues like the heart have a very low capacity to regenerate. Studying the biological mechanisms underlying endogenous healing will lead to an improved understanding of what we aim to mimic in regenerative medicine. Thereby, the students will learn that there is a tissue-dependent wound healing with different time scales and degrees of regeneration. Resident differentiated cells and stem cells moderate these processes and the translation to their usage in regenerative medicine therapies is envisioned. The role of inflammation is also conveyed, besides the importance of vascularization. Within these processes, the concept of functional repair versus complete regeneration will be elucidated as well. This is further discussed in the context of regenerative boundaries (diffusion, signal molecules, cell senescence). These processes depend on patient specific factors such as ageing and co-morbidities.
Doelstellingen van dit vak
The learning goals are achieved by different forms of teaching. Each week there will be a knowledge clip instead of a traditional lecture. A one hour Q&A session with the expert providing the knowledge clip is scheduled. During this session, students can ask any doubts and unclarities that exist after having studied the knowledge clip and its content. The information from these knowledge clips is further expanded in two tutorials per week, where cases are discussed. Each tutorial has a pre-discussion and post-discussion. The students should spend time in self-study to prepare for the tutorials.
Below is a table with the time schedule. The below table is for your information only. It is not definitive and is subject to changes. Always check the Student Portal for the exact place and time of the lectures, tutorials, exams, and other deadlines.
Upon completion of the course, the RMT student is able to:
- Define and explain potential causes and consequence of failed regeneration
- Elaborate upon the different regeneration potentials of different tissues and why the regenerative potential differs
- Describe the effect of ageing and other co-morbidities on the regenerative capacity
- Summarise the intrinsic wound regeneration phases including different scales and important factors
- Evaluate and reflect upon the limits of regeneration and which factors do contribute to that
Aanbevolen literatuur
Principles of Regenerative Medicine, Atala et al., Elsevier Tissue Engineering, van Blitterswijk et al., AP Wound healing: Process, Phases and Promoting, Middleton, Nova Biomedical