Stem Cell Biology

  1. Fundamental Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms
    1. Self-Renewal Mechanisms
      1. Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Cell Division
        1. Definitions and Outcomes
          1. Regulation of Division Type
            1. Molecular Determinants
            2. Regulation of the Cell Cycle
              1. Key Cell Cycle Phases
                1. Checkpoints and Control Mechanisms
                  1. Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
                    1. Tumor Suppressor Pathways
                    2. Maintenance of Telomeres and Telomerase Activity
                      1. Telomere Structure and Function
                        1. Role of Telomerase in Stem Cells
                          1. Telomerase Regulation
                            1. Aging and Telomere Shortening
                          2. Maintenance of Pluripotency
                            1. Core Transcription Factor Networks
                              1. Oct4
                                1. Function and Regulation
                                  1. Target Genes
                                  2. Sox2
                                    1. Function and Regulation
                                      1. Protein Interactions
                                      2. Nanog
                                        1. Function and Regulation
                                          1. Heterogeneity in Expression
                                          2. Klf4
                                            1. Function and Regulation
                                              1. Role in Reprogramming
                                              2. c-Myc
                                                1. Function and Regulation
                                                  1. Metabolic Functions
                                                2. Key Signaling Pathways
                                                  1. LIF/STAT3 Pathway
                                                    1. Mechanism of Action
                                                      1. Role in Mouse ESCs
                                                        1. Downstream Targets
                                                        2. FGF/MAPK Pathway
                                                          1. Mechanism of Action
                                                            1. Role in Human ESCs
                                                              1. Crosstalk with Other Pathways
                                                              2. Activin/Nodal/SMAD Pathway
                                                                1. Mechanism of Action
                                                                  1. Role in Pluripotency Maintenance
                                                                    1. TGF-β Superfamily Signaling
                                                                    2. Wnt/β-catenin Pathway
                                                                      1. Mechanism of Action
                                                                        1. Role in Self-Renewal and Differentiation
                                                                          1. Context-Dependent Effects
                                                                          2. Notch Pathway
                                                                            1. Mechanism of Action
                                                                              1. Role in Cell Fate Decisions
                                                                                1. Lateral Inhibition
                                                                                2. PI3K/AKT Pathway
                                                                                  1. Survival Signaling
                                                                                    1. Metabolic Regulation
                                                                                    2. Hippo Pathway
                                                                                      1. YAP/TAZ Signaling
                                                                                        1. Cell Contact Inhibition
                                                                                    3. The Process of Differentiation
                                                                                      1. Lineage Commitment
                                                                                        1. Definition and Mechanisms
                                                                                          1. Role of Transcription Factors
                                                                                            1. Epigenetic Changes
                                                                                              1. Irreversibility and Plasticity
                                                                                              2. Directed Differentiation Protocols
                                                                                                1. Use of Growth Factors and Small Molecules
                                                                                                  1. Stepwise Differentiation Approaches
                                                                                                    1. Temporal Control of Signaling
                                                                                                      1. Optimization Strategies
                                                                                                      2. Morphogen Gradients
                                                                                                        1. Definition and Examples
                                                                                                          1. Role in Embryonic Patterning
                                                                                                            1. Concentration-Dependent Responses
                                                                                                              1. Signaling Range and Dynamics
                                                                                                              2. Cell Fate Specification
                                                                                                                1. Inductive Signals
                                                                                                                  1. Competence and Responsiveness
                                                                                                                    1. Fate Maps and Lineage Trees
                                                                                                                  2. Epigenetic Regulation
                                                                                                                    1. DNA Methylation
                                                                                                                      1. Enzymes Involved
                                                                                                                        1. DNMTs
                                                                                                                          1. TETs
                                                                                                                          2. Impact on Gene Expression
                                                                                                                            1. CpG Islands and Shores
                                                                                                                              1. Methylation Patterns in Stem Cells
                                                                                                                              2. Histone Modifications
                                                                                                                                1. Acetylation
                                                                                                                                  1. Enzymes and Effects
                                                                                                                                    1. HATs and HDACs
                                                                                                                                    2. Methylation
                                                                                                                                      1. Enzymes and Effects
                                                                                                                                        1. Activating and Repressive Marks
                                                                                                                                        2. Other Modifications
                                                                                                                                          1. Phosphorylation
                                                                                                                                            1. Ubiquitination
                                                                                                                                              1. SUMOylation
                                                                                                                                            2. Chromatin Remodeling
                                                                                                                                              1. Chromatin Structure
                                                                                                                                                1. Remodeling Complexes
                                                                                                                                                  1. SWI/SNF
                                                                                                                                                    1. ISWI
                                                                                                                                                      1. CHD
                                                                                                                                                      2. Nucleosome Positioning
                                                                                                                                                      3. Role of Non-coding RNAs
                                                                                                                                                        1. MicroRNAs (miRNAs)
                                                                                                                                                          1. Regulation of Pluripotency and Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                            1. miRNA Biogenesis
                                                                                                                                                              1. Target Recognition
                                                                                                                                                              2. Long Non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)
                                                                                                                                                                1. Functions in Stem Cell Biology
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Chromatin Modification
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Transcriptional Regulation
                                                                                                                                                                    2. Circular RNAs
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Biogenesis and Function
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Role in Stem Cell Biology

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                                                                                                                                                                  2. Types of Stem Cells

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                                                                                                                                                                  4. The Stem Cell Niche