This document summarizes an MSc in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. The course offers hands-on research experience through a laboratory project in stem cell techniques. Students take modules in core areas like ethics and literature review, along with optional modules in areas such as stem cell culture, developmental genetics, and modelling human disease. The goal is to provide specialized training to work in stem cell research in academia or industry.

1. MSc Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
(SCRM)
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine is at the forefront of future therapies to repair disease and
damaged organs. As the academic research base broadens and industry begins to adopt new
technologies, the demand for specialists has increased substantially. As such, this unique research-led
course offers high level employment opportunities.
Research-led training
To fine-tune your skills, you'll undertake a research lab project based at our internationally renowned
Centre for Stem Cell Biology. Here you will gain experience of the latest human embryonic stem cell
techniques. The associated literature review also provides training in a range of transferable skills
pertinent to future careers in academia or industry. Through seminars, we encourage you to develop an
understanding of the ethical and legal issues associated with the field.
You'll also benefit from our modern research laboratories and equipment. These include purpose-built
facilities for drosophila, zebrafish, chick and mouse genetics and for molecular physiology. Other facilities
provide all the tools you'll need to examine and analyse a range of cellular structures. We have an
electron and a light microscopy centre, a PCR robotics facility, a flow cytometry unit and a dedicated RNAi
Screening facility.
Entry Criteria: First class Honours Degree in a Biomedical subject.
Course dates: Starting late September
Course Structure
The course is split into two equal semesters. Modules are undertaken to the value of 180 credits:
 90 credits of taught modules, including practicals and lectures. This is complemented by an
extensive research project and a literature review worth 90 credits.
There are four main elements:
 core research project and literature review (90 credits)
 core critical analysis and ethics and public awareness of science modules (30 credits)
 choice of 2 lecture-based modules (30 credits)
 choice of two laboratory practical-based modules (30 credits)
Note. As the literature review and research project comprise half of the available credits, projects may
also be chosen from contributing departments - Engineering Materials or Computer Science.
Teaching Assessment Project Examples
 Lectures
 Practical classes
 Tutorials/Semina
rs
 Formal
examinations
 Course assignments
 Debates
Examples of previous research projects:
 Characterisation of auditory progenitors derived from Human Embryo
 The role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Diabetes-related Osteoporosi
 Subsets of undifferentiated Human ES Cells

2.  Debate*
 Lab placement**
 Poster presentations
 Dissertation
 Stem Cells in the Adult Mouse Spinal Cord
*Small-group teaching classes where you'll discuss, debate, and present on scientific and ethical topics.
**Laboratory placements within the department with one-to-one attention, training and support in carrying
out your individual research project.
Modules
This list links to the tabled information further down the page.
Core elements (120 credits)
 Literature Review
 Laboratory Research Project
 Critical Analysis of Current Science
 Ethics, Law and Public Awareness of Science
Choice of two practical modules (2x15 credits)
 Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture Techniques
 Practical Cell Biology
 Practical Developmental Genetics
Note: Numbers of participants may be restricted on practical modules in order to maintain an effective
laboratory learning experience.
Choice of two lecture modules (2x15 credits)
 Modelling Human Disease
 Stem Cell Biology
 Bionanomaterials
Description of Modules
Literature Review
 Core module - 30 credits
 Dr. Marcello Rivolta
 email : M.N.Rivolta@sheffield.ac.uk
This unit involves an in-depth survey of the current literature relevant to the student’s laboratory research project. It runs be
laboratory commences in order to give the student the academic background necessary to complete the laboratory work su
will carry out an exhaustive search of material relevant to their project using the resources of the University, including appro
specialist search engines, as well as paper-based resources in the University Library. The unit involves primarily private stu
under the direction of the project supervisor who will meet the student at regular intervals to ensure satisfactory progress.
Laboratory Research Project
 Core module - 60 credits
 Professor Steve Winder
 emai : S.Winder@sheffield.ac.uk

3. The unit aims to provide students with experience of laboratory research and develop their practical and organisational skil
in science. Students undertake a project related to their area of specialization which reflects the research activities in the D
run in the laboratories of the research groups and although students will have contact with various staff, each student will h
member of staff as their project supervisor. Students will gain experience of experimental design and execution and in the c
and presentation of data. Assessment of the project will be based on; a written report, laboratory performance, delivery and
presentation, a poster presentation and an oral examination.
Critical Analysis of Current Science
 Core module - 15 credits
 Dr. Anne-Gaelle Borycki
 email: A.G.Borycki@sheffield.ac.uk
This unit is designed to develop the student’s ability to read and understand the scientific literature relating to their own rese
enable them to integrate their own work into the wider scientific field. The unit consists of three components; a tutorial/semi
16 tutorial sessions designed to develop student skills in reading, understanding and criticising scientific literature; attendan
organised review lectures covering broad areas of science delivered by internationally recognised scientists; participation in
provided by the research groups in support of their research programme. Each component would be assessed separately w
some undertaken under formal examination conditions.
Ethics, Law and Public Awareness of Science
 Core module - 15 credits
 Dr Andrew Furley
 email: a.j.furley@sheffield.ac.uk
This unit introduces an outline of the legislative limitations and ethical influences on biomedical science. It will address how
by public attitudes and explore how these, in turn, are influenced by the scientific community. The unit will contain a factual
however students will be encouraged to explore, develop and express their own beliefs and value systems.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture Techniques
 Optional practical module - 15 credits
 Prof.essor Peter Andrews
 email: p.w.andrews@sheffield.ac.uk
The unit will be a practical, laboratory based course in which students will learn to culture human embryonic stem (hES) ce
equivalent, embryonal carcinoma cells. The course will be an intensive two week program in which students will maintain cu
and carry out experiments to determine the expression of marker antigens and genes used to identify the stem cells and m
differentiation. They will learn and apply techniques for genetic manipulation of hES cells, and methods for inducing their di
practical work will be supplemented by lectures directly linked to specific practical sessions.
Practical Cell Biology
 Optional practical module - 15 credits
 Professor Liz Smythe
 email: e.smythe@sheffield.ac.uk
The practical unit will provide students with experience of practical cell biology. Students will be given the opportunity to est
ELISA-based assays for the endocytic pathway and the role of the cytoskeleton will be investigated in aspects of the endoc
inhibitors and fluorescence microscopy of fixed cells. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development, execution and
experimental protocols as is standard practice in a research laboratory.

4. Practical Developmental Genetics
 Optional practical module - 15 credits
 Dr Vincent Cunliffe
 email: v.t.cunliffe@sheffield.ac.uk
The practical unit aims to provide students with experience of research techniques in developmental biology. Students will p
designed to reveal molecular and cellular principles underpinning developmental mechanisms. Emphasis will be placed on
genetic and molecular resources available in model organisms such as zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and chick for s
in development. Students will gain experience of performing experimental work, data collection and interpretation of results
Modelling Human Disease
 Optional lecture module - 15 credits
 Professor Marysia Placzek
 email: m.placzek@sheffield.ac.uk
This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of the way that post-genomic developmental biology is impacting
understand, and treat, human disease. Students will be introduced to some of the major experimental systems and approac
to disease modelling. These include genetically-tractable animal model systems, in vitro cellular systems, including stem ce
The principles involved in establishing how these systems can be exploited to develop new strategies for regeneration, and
degeneration, will be explored. Lectures will be interspersed with critical evaluations of primary research papers, so that stu
of analysing experimental work, data presentation and interpretation of results.
Stem Cell Biology
 Optional lecture module - 15 credits
 Dr Penny Rashbass
 email: p.rashbass@sheffield.ac.uk
This lecture course will provide a thorough grounding in the biology of stem cells and regenerative medicine, with special re
molecular and genetic control of cell fate specification and differentiation. Students will also be encouraged to consider the
cells and their derivatives as well as the ethical issues that these raise. As this is a rapidly developing field, strong emphasi
understanding the current controversies in the literature.
Bionanomaterials
 Optional lecture module - 15 credits
 Professor Beppe Battaglia
 email: G.Battaglia@sheffield.ac.uk
This unit aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of elements of bionanotechnology and biology, includ
natural bionanomaterials, applications of bionanomaterials, characterisation techniques, and applications of bionanoscienc