Lecture, three and one half hours; discussion, one hour. Requisites: Chemistry 153A, Life Sciences 107. State-of-art study of stem cells and gene therapy, and approaches to treat congenital/genetic defects, diseases, or injuries in humans. Review of current knowledge of human stem cells and viral and non-viral gene delivery strategies, and how they can be safely evaluated in animal models of disease. Introduction to ethical and legal issues related to cell and gene therapy as well as how to translate therapies into practice including aspects of cell and gene therapy intellectual property, regulatory, and Food and Drug Administration considerations. Includes innovative mock company team pitches to venture capitalists to learn how to raise capital for their new inventions based on what they have learned. Letter grading.
