The document discusses the initiatives of the Scottish Stem Cell Network (SSCN), which aims to foster a sustainable regenerative medicine industry in Scotland through education and community engagement. It highlights activities like stem cell workshops in schools, collaborations with local businesses for career opportunities, and the promotion of Scottish stem cell science internationally. Additionally, it explains the different types of stem cells, their sources, and potential medical applications.

1. Talking Stem Cells
Dr Marilyn Robertson: Director of Operations SSCN
Margaret Ann Pearson: Project Manager SSCN
Henriette Laidlaw: Education Consultant SSCN

2. Why talk Stem
Cells?
• New Biology Curriculum for Higher
Biology and Human Biology
• A growing industry in Scotland and
Midlothian
• Opportunity to get the scientist in
dialogue
• Opportunity for cross curricular
activities

3. Our mission is to create a connected community
focused on the development of a world-leading and
sustainable Regenerative Medicine industry in
Scotland.
Not-for-profit, limited by guarantee, company
with 6 staff.
Funded by Scottish Enterprise, European
Regional Development Fund, Technology
Strategy board and sponsorship.
1140 members. Linked with European
Networks and founding member of International
Network.
Promotes Scottish stem cell science
internationally.
Successful schools and public education
programmes since 2003.

4. SSCN & Young
people
tem cell and regenerative
medicine workshops and
modules linked to
curriculum for excellence.
cience careers information
packages
tudent support.

5. Schools Programme
Meet the Scientist Workshops
Careers in Science
World Of Work Day

6. Careers Planning
• Resource for schools and colleges
featuring examples of successful
people in Science and their education
and training pathway.
• Careers workshops – featuring local
businesses and varied expert
speakers.
• Working with Skills Development
Scotland to Network materials to all
careers advisors in Scotland.
• Liaising with Industry to create new
opportunities for internships and work
experience placements with
regenerative medicine organisations
for Midlothian and Edinburgh pupils
and college students.

7. Aim of today
Cross Curricular Activity
– Biology/RMPS

8. What do we know?
• RMPS teachers • Biology teachers
– What are stem cells? – What ethical issues
– How do we use stem are associated with
cells stem cells relating to
• Obtaining cells
– What diseases can
• Treatments using stem
we/do we hope to treat
cells
using stem cells

9. Lets talk Stem Cells

10. recap of cells
Cells are the building blocks of the
human body.
Our bodies are made up of 75-100
trillion cells.
A liver is made up of liver cells,
blood is made of blood cells, etc.
S o what is a stem cell?

11. What is a stem cell?
replicate itself, or....
A single cell that can
Differentiate into specialised
cell types
Image prepared by Catherine Twomey for the National Academies, Understanding Stem Cells: An Overview of the Science and Issues from the National Academies,
http://www.nationalacademies.org/stemcells. Academic non-commercial use is permitted.

12. So, where can we find
stem cells?
Embryos : Embyronic stem cells
(ES cells)
• taken from embryos 5 days after
fertilisation when the embryo is a ball
of 50-100 cells.
• These are the most useful type of
stem cells as they can develop into any
kind of cell required (pluripotent).
• Embryonic stem cells are usually
taken from embryos left over from in
vitro fertilisation (IVF)

13. Where else?
Cells and Tissues : Adult stem cells
• taken from a specific tissue eg brain,
heart, blood or muscle
• can only develop into that cell type
(multipotent).
• These cells are naturally used by
the body to replace damaged or
diseased calls.

14. They are!
tem
lt s to
du ow
e a a rr
us m
dy ne
ea bo
alr m
e fro emia
W ls
ce tl Leuk
tre a

15. F o r mo s t o the r
d is e a s e s w e w ill n e e d
t o g r o w la r g e
This happens naturallyu a n t i t i e s o f s t e m
q in the body
c e lls in t h e la b
In the lab, we do not know how to make this happen
……and make them develop into a particular cell type.
This needs to be controlled because at the moment they turn into whatever they like.

16. Induced Pluripotent Stem
Cells (iPS) Cells)
1 2 3 4
Take skin cells Introduce stem Isolate cells Grow and
from patient cell genes and/ expressing differentiate
or treat with stem cell •Neurons nerve
small markers cells
•Skin, muscle,
molecules
bone
•Blood, immune
cells
These cells are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells or iPSCs)
and are derived from the potential patient’s own cells.

17. Find out more
elp?
m cell h
ste
Can
How can stem cells
be used?
Wh
e
ava n will
ilab a
le? treatm
e nt b
e

18. Material
• Student workbooks
• Teachers Kit
• Stem cell stories
• Find out more
• The dilemma