Transcript Learning intentions - Elgin Academy, Scotland

Activity 9
 By researching cell division, I can explain its role in
growth and repair and can discuss how some cells
can be used therapeutically SCN 4-13a
 I can debate the moral and ethical issues associated
with some controversial biological procedures SCN 413c
http://www.eurostemcell.org
Task 1 Lesson Starter
Here are the opening paragraphs from two websites
introducing genetic engineering – which one
is Greenpeace and which is Monsanto – a Multinational
Agricultural Biotechnology Company?
1. Today, biotechnology holds out promise for consumers
seeking quality, safety and taste in their food choices; for
farmers seeking new methods to improve their
productivity and profitability; and for governments and
non-governmental public advocates seeking to stave off
global hunger, assure environmental quality, preserve
bio-diversity and promote health and food safety.
2. Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants,
animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes in a
way that does not occur naturally. These genetically
modified organisms (GMO) can spread through nature
and interbreed with natural organisms, thereby
contaminating non 'GE' environments and future
generations in an unforeseeable and uncontrollable way.
Their release is 'genetic pollution' and is a major threat
because GMOs cannot be recalled once released into
the environment.
Task 2
http://www.eurostemcell.org/films/a-stemcell-story/English (15mins)
Video on IVF production of Stem Cells and
Ethical Issues (4.5mins)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/ste
m-cell-research-and-medicine/6013.html
Why self-renew AND differentiate?
1 stem cell
4 specialized cells
1 stem cell
Self renewal – makes sure
stem cells don’t run out
Differentiation - replaces dead or damaged
cells throughout your life
Stem cells in your body = Tissue stem cells
surface of the eye
skin
muscles
brain
breast
intestines (gut)
bone marrow
Blood stem cells: A type of tissue stem cell
blood stem cell
differentiation
found in
bone marrow
white blood
cells
red
blood
cells
only specialized types of blood
cell
Blood stem cells in action
Why are scientists so interested in stem
cells?
Scientists around the world are trying to
1. understand how and why stem cells can self renew and
differentiate.
2.They want to use them to help understand about human
development.
3.Find out if they can be used to treat disease.
4.Use them as human stem cell models to help understand what
goes wrong in cells.
5. Have more realistic ways to test new treatments on human cells
The challenge
The big challenge for scientists is to learn how to control
these fascinating cells.
If we could force stem cells to make whatever kind of cell
we want, then we would have a powerful tool for
developing treatments for disease.
Example, perhaps we could grow new pancreas cells to
transplant into the pancreas of a patient with diabetes,
which could then make it’s own insulin to control blood
sugar levels.
Embryonic stem cells
One cell removed and grown
in a dish in a lab
skin
neurons
embryonic stem cells
blastocyst - a very
early embryo (5
days)
around 100-150 cells
ES cells can make many kinds
of specialised cells in the lab!
liver
Induced pluripotent stem cells – iPS cells
 These cells were first made in a laboratory by a scientist in 2006.
 iPS cells are made by adding four special genes to a tissue stem
cell and these reprogrammed the cell. What was produced was a
cell that could make any cell type. Therefore it was very similar to
an embryonic stem cell.
 The scientist who created it thought this would help alleviate the
controversial issues surrounding embryonic stem cells.
http://www.eurostemcell.org/factsheet/reprogramming cells
Task 3
 Complete the Worksheet on Stem Cells using the work cards and
the information that you have gathered in this lesson.
Activity 2 – Extension
Comparing Embryonic and Tissue Stem Cells
Comparing Embryonic and Tissue Stem Cells
These are cells found in many areas of the body that need to be
renewed throughout the life of the person.
However these stem cells are already partly specialised and will only
make up all the cell types of the tissue they are found in.
e.g blood stem cells make all the different cells of the blood, Skin stem
cells make all the different cells of the skin.
It is much easier and less controversial to grow these stem cells in the
laboratory and cells can be taken from a patient
Why might Scientists not find these stem cells as useful as Embryonic
stem cells?
Or maybe they have other advantages over Embryonic stem cells?
What we’ve learnt today - Summary
 Stem cells can:
• Self-renew
• Differentiate
= copy themselves
= make other types of cell
 There are different kinds of stem cell:
• Tissue stem cells
– in our bodies all our lives
– only make particular cell types
• Embryonic stem cells – in the early embryo
– can make all the cells of the body
• iPS cells
– reprogrammed tissue stem cell
– can make all cell types of the body
 We need stem cells to…
• Replace cells that die or get damaged
• In the future, we might use them to treat diseases or test drugs