Bi9017 Cell Biotechnologies

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tomáš Bárta, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Dáša Bohačiaková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
RNDr. Vendula Hlaváčková Pospíchalová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ondřej Bernatík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. Mgr. Vítězslav Bryja, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: RNDr. Vendula Hlaváčková Pospíchalová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Bi1700 Cell Biology && Bi4020 Molecular biology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to provide students with in-depth theoretical knowledge in the field of cellular biotechnology, covering work with various types of stem cells, immunotherapeutic approaches, tissue engineering methods, technological processes for producing biological substances, and the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cellular communication and regenerative medicine. Emphasis is placed on understanding modern technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, organoids, organs-on-chips, and EVs, and their application in research and clinical practice.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, students will be able to: o Describe and explain key principles and applications of cellular biotechnology, including stem cell work, immunotherapy, tissue engineering, and the production of biological substances. o Analyze and evaluate the potential use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cellular communication and regenerative medicine. o Critically assess the advantages and limitations of modern technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, organoids, organs-on-chips, and EVs.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction – Overview of the course structure, student requirements, and a summary of currently used cellular biotechnologies and methodologies: pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, immunotherapy, production of biological substances and recombinant proteins, methods like cell cultures, CRISPR/Cas9, etc. 2. Cell fate change (cell reprogramming) – Reprogramming somatic cells into a pluripotent state, transdifferentiation, epigenetic reprogramming, disease modeling, application potential, and ongoing clinical studies. 3. Application potential of pluripotent stem cells – Definition, biology, application potential, ongoing and completed clinical studies. 4. Adult stem cells and tissue banks – Definition, function in vivo, types, isolation methods, application possibilities, ongoing clinical studies; tissue banks – operations, tissue and cell preservation, and their utilization. 5. Organoids and organs-on-chips – Definition, types, preparation, applications in research and clinical practice; organs-on-chips – construction and applications. 6. Tissue engineering – Tissue decellularization, 3D printing, surfaces for cell and tissue growth and specification, utilization, and application potential. 7. "From bench to bedside" – Cleanrooms: significance, operation, conditions for clinical applications of cellular therapies, and gene therapy. 8. Immunotherapy I – Immune system development, active and passive immunotherapy, applications, treatment with antibodies (monoclonal, polyclonal, recombinant), modern medicine applications. 9. Immunotherapy in oncology – Cancer treatment: immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor T lymphocytes, cancer vaccines, the principle of synthetic lethality, PARP inhibitors. 10. Cellular technologies for the production of biological substances and recombinant proteins – Production systems (bacterial, yeast, mammalian), organism preparation, and production scale. 11. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their therapeutic potential – characterization of EVs, biogenesis, functions; EVs from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); role in cellular communication; potential applications in regenerative medicine; therapeutic potential for treating inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
Teaching methods
The course is conducted through lectures combining theoretical foundations with practical examples. Emphasis is placed on interactive discussions and the analysis of case studies. Selected experts from the field will be invited to present specialized topics. Students will actively apply their knowledge to solve specific problems in the area of cellular biotechnology.
Assessment methods
Assessment includes a written final exam focusing on theoretical knowledge and the application of cellular biotechnology methods, evaluation of project tasks assigned during the semester, and active participation in lectures.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2025/Bi9017