Disease Models for Therapeutic Discovery

Catalog description

One of the key challenges in the fields of tissue engineering and disease modelling is a disconnect between the use of robust bioengineering tools and our limited understanding of pathobiology. The future of these fields depends on biomedical engineers using their technical skill sets to study normal physiology and disease mechanisms. In this class, we will explore current state-of-the-art methods for creating tissue and disease models, including: 2D/3D tissue cultures, bioreactors, organs-on-a-chip, microfluidic models, disease-in-a-dish models (with discussions on coupling multiple tissue systems), animal models of disease, and CRISPR/CAS9. The first few weeks of the semester will focus on learning the state-of-the-art methods with 1 exam as an assessment. The rest of the class will focus on specific disease modules with journal reviews and experts sharing their research on disease models with the class. For assessment, students will read 1 journal article each week and provide a brief critique. In addition, they will write a grant and present to the class methods for creating a disease model of their choice. At the end of the class, students will be able to critically assess and design models of normal and pathobiological disease mechanisms. Prior knowledge of basic physiology is required.