Properties of stem cells and their use in research – Teaching resource

Come on a journey with Victorian stem cell researchers as they discuss the properties of stem cells and their role in differentiation, specialisation and renewal of cells and tissues. Learn about their research questions and how they use stem cells in their research. This series of media clips has been developed in collaboration with Stem Cells Australia and the School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne.  Some questions are provided to help you extract information from each of the presentations.

More education resources related to stem cell research and ethics can be found on the Stem Cells Australia education page.

 

Presentation 1: What are stem cells and how do they behave?

Professor Megan Munsie works at the University of Melbourne in the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Melbourne Medical School. She is also the convenor of Stem Cells Australia. Megan will take you on a journey to learn the basics of stems cells.

As you view Megan’s presentation use the student study activity for presentation 1 to reflect on the knowledge and ideas shared by Megan.

 

Presentation 2: SARS-CoV-2 and the heart – what do we know, and how do we know it?

Dr Elizabeth Stout is a research officer working as part of the heart regeneration group at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).  Elizabeth takes you on a journey to describe some of the research questions she is trying to answer using stem cells, and shares some of her discoveries.

As you view Elizabeth’s presentation use the student study activity for presentation 2 to reflect on the ideas and research that she shares.

 

Presentation 3: Using organoids grown from tumour tissue to develop personalised cancer treatments

Dr Rebekah Engel is a senior research fellow working at the Cabrini Hospital and Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.  Rebekah takes you on a journey to describe some of the research questions she is trying to answer using stem cells, and shares some of her discoveries.

As you view Rebekah’s presentation use the student study activity for presentation 3 to reflect on the ideas and research that she shares.

 

Presentation 4: Using pluripotent stem cells to study the immune system

Nadia Rajab is a research scientist working in the Wells Laboratory at the Department of Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Melbourne. The Wells laboratory has a focus on research into stem cell systems. Nadia takes you on a journey to describe some of the research questions she is trying to answer using stem cells, and shares some of her discoveries.

As you view Nadia’s presentation use the student study activity for presentation 4 to reflect on the ideas and research that she shares.

 

 

Presentation 5: Stem cells and ethics

Professor Megan Munsie works at the University of Melbourne in the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Melbourne Medical School. She is also the convenor of Stem Cells Australia. Megan will take you on a journey to learn the basics of stems cells. Megan shares in her presentation the ethical, social and legal implications around how stem cells are used in the laboratory and in clinics.

A selection of discussion questions are provided here for teachers to use as discussion prompts as students view Megan’s presentation.  GTAC resources that you may find useful in practicing how to apply ethical concepts include: