2015
1.) Compare and contrast the properties of human induced pluripotent
cells and human embryonic stem cells. (70%) Which do you consider
most suitable for cell therapy applications and why? (30%)
2.) Using two different stem cell examples, describe the properties
associated with each type of stem cell (50%). How would you test for
the presence of each type in an experimentally obtained population?
(50%).
3.) Discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which stem cells
are maintained in vivo. (70%) Discuss how aging affects stem cells
and their niche. (30%)
4.) In what ways can stem cells participate in tissue repair and
regeneration? Use at least two different examples in your answer.
(50% each)
5.) Describe how signaling pathways that regulate stem cells in
development also play a role in cancer stem cells (50%), and how they
may be targeted for novel cancer therapy (50%)
2016
.) Describe how human embryonic stem cell lines and induced pluripotent
cells are generated (50%). Discuss their key characteristics,
highlighting similarities and differences (50%).
2.) Highlight the potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs),
using specific therapeutic examples (50%). Describe alternative stem
cell types that could potentially be used in these situations and discuss
the benefits and risks of using these cells compared to MSCs (50%).
3.) Using two different examples of adult stem cells (50% each), describe
how adult stem cells have been identified and characterized both in
vivo and in vitro.
4.) Compare and contrast the characteristics of a cancer stem cell to a
non-cancer stem cell (50%). How does regulation of self-renewal offer
opportunities for novel cancer therapy (50%)?
5.) Describe how the number of stem cells that populate a niche is
regulated (50%), and how mutations can affect this number (50%)
2017
1.) Compare and contrast mouse and human embryonic stem cells
(50%). What are the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in
maintenance of both cell types (50%)?
2.) Discuss how the endogenous pluripotent stem cell population is
generated in the embryo (70%). How has our knowledge of this
population informed our ability to grow and characterise pluripotent
stem cells in vitro (30%).
3.) Describe the location and primary roles of mesenchymal stem cells
(MSCs) (50%) and discuss their similarities, differences and
interactions with other stem cells in vivo (50%).
4.) Describe (i) the ways that cancer stem cells are defined in different
tumour types (50%) and (ii) how our understanding of stem cell
regulation (cancer stem cells or other stem cells) can improve cancer
therapies (50%).
5.) What have we learned about the diverse nature and functions of
niches by studying invertebrate model systems (60%)? Discuss how
these lessons can be applied to vertebrate systems (40%).
2018
1.) Compare the properties of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and
bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (50%). Discuss
the therapeutic properties that MSCs possess but that ESCs do not
and explain, with examples, how these properties of MSCs can be
used to treat disease (50%).
2.) Discuss, using appropriate examples, the advantages and
disadvantages of using induced pluripotent stem cells for disease
modelling and cell therapy.
3.) Compare and contrast two types of adult multipotent stem cells
(50%) and describe the assays used to identify each of these stem cell
types (50%).
4.) What do we understand by the concept of cancer stem cells (50%),
and how might knowledge of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate
them be used to improve tumour therapies (50%)?
5.) Explain how the study of mutations in key regulatory genes has
helped our understanding of how stem cells are controlled in vivo
2019
1.) Describe the concept of “the niche” and how the maintenance
and/or differentiation of three different types of stem cells is regulated
(65%). Discuss how each of these types can be identified as stem cells
(35%).
2.) Discuss the pros and cons of three different types of stem cells for
(a) understanding mammalian development (50%), and (b) modelling
and developing treatments for human diseases (50%).
3.) Describe two or more examples of stem cells that have been used
in successful clinical trials, leading to patient cure or dramatic
amelioration (40%). Then describe one or more example of stem cells
that have been used in unsuccessful clinical trials (30%). Discuss what
may have been the reasons underlying success and failure in the
clinical trials (30%).
4.) Compare and contrast the characteristics of “normal” stem cells with
those that contribute to disease in vivo (60%). Describe how these
characteristics are assayed and how this knowledge might be used to
manipulate the stem cells (40%).
5.) Describe the Notch signaling pathway (20%). Discuss, using
examples from different systems, how aspects of Notch signalling
regulate stem cell maintenance and differentiation (80%).
2023
1. You have access to patients with a dominant genetic condition that
affects the nervous system as well as other tissues. Discuss how you
would investigate this condition using stem cells? Explain the reason for
the methods you have chosen.
2. Compare and contrast characteristics of embryonic stem cells with adult
stem cells. Your answer should include derivation, potency, heterogeneity,
and clinical applications in your answer.
3. Several examples of cell-mediated gene therapy have conclusively
shown long lasting efficacy and safety. Discuss why such therapies for
certain genetic diseases are effective but the majority are not and what
solutions may be available.
4. Discuss how defining cancer stem cells, understanding their resistance
to treatments and knowing about their regulation will improve cancer
therapy.
5. Discuss, using examples from invertebrate models, how cell-cell
contact, diffusible growth factors from the stem cell niche, and systemic
factors regulate stem cells in vivo.
2024
1. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of tissue Stem Cells (SCs),
Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) and induced-Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)
for understanding disease and for use in cell- or drug-based therapies.
2. Describe different types of potency and discuss the mechanisms used
to regulate potency in three different SC types using examples from
pluripotent, multipotent and bi- or uni-potent SCs.
3. Using examples from tissue SCs, cancer SCs and Drosophila SCs,
discuss how the niche contributes to SC maintenance and regulation.
2025:
1. Q1 Explain what a pluripotent stem cell is. (15%) Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of using pluripotent stem cells for
disease modelling, giving relevant examples. (85%)
2. Q2 Describe the location and primary roles of haematopoietic stem
cells (HSCs). (50%) Discuss their similarities, differences and
interactions with other stem cells in vivo. (50%)
3. Q3 Describe what kind of stem cell therapy has been effective so
far. (40%) Discuss what factors contribute to the success or failure
of stem cell therapy. (60%)
4. Q4 Describe functional assays for cancer stem cells (CSCs), how
markers can be used to identify them and the mechanisms by which
CSCs contribute to cancer therapy resistance. (50%) Give examples
of intrinsic and extrinsic signalling pathways that regulate CSCs and
explain how targeting signalling can be used to treat cancer. (50%)
5. Q5 How do changes in stem cells and their niches contribute to
ageing- associated conditions? (60%) Describe how we can use this
knowledge to improve health and fitness of the elderly. (40%)