Description: This minicourse will explore cellular reprogramming, or the transformation of one cell type into another. During development, pluripotent cells in the embryo acquire specific identities over time, becoming a host of differentiated cell types (fibroblasts, muscles, neurons, etc.) that each have a unique function. Most differentiated cells then maintain their specific identity – fibroblasts remain fibroblasts, muscles remain muscles, neurons remain neurons. In this class, we will look at instances when this is no longer the case, when one cell type can naturally turn into another or be engineered to do so.
We will begin with classic studies that tried to untangle the developmental “potential” of cells by moving them into new contexts and asking if they remained the same, or turned into different cells. We will also study naturally occurring instances of reprogramming, where during the course of development, a cell type turns into another. And we will explore the therapeutic potential of reprogramming techniques- for example, can reprogramming be used to replace cells lost during disease states.
Structure: The first 6 sessions will comprise of a short introductory lecture followed by student-led discussion of a paper. Some days there will be a short lecture after discussion as a follow up or update on the field. The paper discussions will be structured like journal club: presenters will lead a critical discussion of the paper with input from everyone in class. All students are expected to participate in these discussions. During the last two sessions, each student will present a 10-minute talk that highlights the key figure or finding from one paper that they choose in consultation with the instructor.
Outcome: This course will bridge the fundamentals of developmental biology to new advances in cellular reprogramming. The goals is to expose students to different ways of asking and answering questions about reprogramming. At the end of the course, students will ideally be able to come up with reasonable and testable hypotheses about how cell x could be turned into cell y, and if cell x cannot be turned into y, why not?
Grading: Grades will be determined by final presentation and general participation in the course.
Course Materials: No materials required ahead of time. Published papers will be provided for discussion.