Stem Cell Education and Training

In addition to technical training, one of the primary goals of Stem Cell Education and Training is to be a resource for public and private schools and as well as the community at large. To that end, a number of educational programs targeted at K-12 students and science educators are in development. Some of the programs that we offer are listed below. We are also available for collaborative programs; if you are interested in creating a special program for your class, please contact us!

Call:     508-856-7794

or email:    stemcelleducation@umassmed.edu


Technical Training

In collaboration with the technical staff from the Massachusetts Human Stem Cell Bank, we offer a training course for Basic Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture.  This 3-day course offers expert technical instruction in hESC culture to researchers.

    Technical Training Course

Educational Programs

Tours

tours

• A tour of our facility in Shrewsbury, MA which includes stops in each of the following areas; the Education and Training department, the human Embryonic Stem Cell Bank and the International Stem Cell Registry.

• The tour listed above and a tour of the UMass Medical School Campus to view careers in both science and medicine.

Lectures

lectures

• What is a stem cell?

• Stem cells and bioethics.

• What is the stem cell banking process at the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at UMass Medical School?

• How the International Stem Cell Registry work and what is the information used for?

• What types of careers are available in biotech and what types of experience and education do you need to enter each area?

• Laboratory Safety.

• What molecular techniques are used in assessing the cell line quality in the Bank at the Center for Stem Cell Biology?

• How do you read and use a Material Safety Data Sheet? Why is it important to have these available for all chemicals that are used in the lab?

Lab Activities

lab activities

• Micropipetting techniques (1/2 day program)

• DNA extraction and quantification (1 day program)

• Gel Electrophoresis (1 day program)

• PCR (1 day program)

• Using a Spectrophotometer to determine caffeine concentration (1 day program)

• Basic Cell Microscopy (1 day program)

• Learn the Basics of Tissue Culture (multi day—can be structured as an afternoon or summer program)