Stem04: Peripheral neuropathy and spine
Module Directors: Dr Liang-Fong Wong and Dr Alastair Wilkins
The aim of this unit is to introduce the range of spinal and peripheral nerve disorders, discuss the range of pathogenetic processes occurring in these disorders and review regenerative therapies for these diseases. Specifically the course will emphasise the potential role for stem cell therapies and highlight differences between the peripheral (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). Content will cover basic science, such as the endogenous response to PNS/spinal injury and the production of neural cell types specific to PNS disorders through to pre-clinical and clinical applications.
This unit will describe:
- The pathology of peripheral nerve disorders and spinal disorders including multiple sclerosis and spinal/nerve trauma.
- Stem cells in the peripheral nervous system.
- Basic research in models of these diseases.
- Current clinical status of therapies for these conditions.
- Streamed video of in vitro models of nerve growth and in vitro/in vivo histological techniques to assess models of these disorders.
Students successfully completing this module will:
- Be aware of the mechanisms of peripheral nerve and spinal disorders and how these might be targeted by future therapies.
- Be up to date with current stem cell and regenerative therapies being developed in animal models and in clinical use.
- Be able to describe the techniques required to assess in vitro or in vivo models of these disorders, for example histological analyses on spinal cord and peripheral nerve sections and cells in culture.
- Understand the difficulties and potential pitfalls of stem cell therapies, including ethical considerations.