The objective of this course is to introduce students to the creation, maintenance and efficient use of an indispensable component of translational research in medicine -- human tissue and its derivatives. Lectures from invited speakers with extensive experience in human bio-specimens generation, maintenance, and utilization, will provide students with knowledge how to successfully obtain and utilize human bio-specimens. Topics will include logistics and legal aspects of creating and sustaining bio- banks, federal and institutional regulatory and funding mechanisms, and concrete examples of human bio-specimens use to generate break-through data in specific field of biomedical research. Special attention will be given to human biospecimens used in neuroscience as neuropathologists/neuroscientists from Harvard and Boston University are enlisted as speakers to give comprehensive overview of biospecimens utilized in studies of neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. Spring (every other year)

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.