UMN hESC Training Program

UMN hESC Training Program: Essentials of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Culture Techniques

The 3-day training course, offered approximately every three months provides hands-on training in the culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Participants will be offered written training materials, laboratory instruction and practice, as well as lectures from experts in the field on stem cell research and clinical applications.

hESC Culture and Characterization of hESC Cultures: Participants will be instructed in evaluating the hESC morphology, as well as colony size, and density. Instruction in passaging, freezing, thawing and banking of hESC will be provided. The importance of regular hESC characterization will be discussed and methods in monitoring hESC cultures by karyotype, stem cell marker expression and pluripotency assays will be demonstrated.

Feeder Preparation: Participants will be instructed in methods to establish primary mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cultures used as feeders for hESC cells. Participants will be instructed to expand, inactivate and prepare feeders for hESC culture. Alternative sources of MEFs, as well as alternative inactivation methods will be presented. Alternative methods of culturing hESC without the use of MEFs will be discussed.

Differentiation and genetic modification: Applications for hESC research invariably involve methods to differentiate hESC cells. Various methods of differentiation will be discussed, including preparation of embryoid bodies, teratomas, adherent cultures and cocultures. Methods of genetic modification for transient and stable gene expression will also be presented.

Selection of Trainees
Individuals eligible for participation in the UMN hESC Training Program are researchers of all levels, including but not limited to graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research technicians, and junior and senior faculty. Researchers must have a minimum of 6 months mammalian cell culture experience. All applicants will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Special consideration will be given to scientists who are the first individual from their laboratory to attend, and who have recently implemented hESC research, or will be implementing hESC research immediately after participation in the program.

Program Description
The program will be offered approximately every three months. Training will take place Tuesday through Thursday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Participants are expected to take part in all activities of the program. A maximum of five investigators can be trained during each session. Applications are due seven weeks prior to the beginning of each session. Notification of acceptance into the program will be made by email. Trainees will receive printed copies of all protocols at the beginning of the course, which will include all culture protocols and relevant details of reagents, supplies, and equipment. Program faculty and instructors will also provide ongoing support via electronic mail or telephone for investigators upon their return to their own laboratories.

Registration Fees and Travel
Registration is $1000 USD for candidates accepted for the UMN hESC Training Program. Travel to and from, and accommodations in Minneapolis will be covered by the trainee. Information on accommodations near the training facility will be provided with notification of acceptance in the program. One scholarship will be offered for each session. Applicants desiring consideration for the scholarship should follow instructions found on the Application.

Applications
Please complete the UMN hESC Training Program Application. Applications are due seven weeks prior to the start date for each session. Notification of acceptance to the program will be made within 2 weeks of due date.

Program Contact
For more information about the UMN hESC Training Program, please contact Dr. Meri Firpo at 612-626-4916 or firpo001@umn.edu.

Upcoming Sessions
The next sessions will be offered as follows: