College Biology Pupils Use Mice Stem Cells

Swarthmore College is believed the first and only U.S. school in which biology students conduct research using embryonic stem cells from mice.

Given all of the attention stem cell biology receives, it’s important that students learn to think critically about the science behind it, said visiting Assistant Professor William Anderson, who teaches the course at the Pennsylvania school. My goals are for them to be able to provide a scientifically accurate description of what a stem cell is, the differences between embryonic and adult stem cells, and what is currently known about both.

Throughout the course, students — working without textbooks because the subject is so new — are able to conduct two types of experiments: those in which the answer is known, and those in which it is unknown. While the first provides students an opportunity to hone their experimental skills, Anderson said the latter is especially exciting.

By performing novel experiments, the students are just as curious as I am about the result, Anderson said. It allows them to take more ownership over their work.

If the data warrant it, Anderson hopes to present results from the class during an annual stem cell meeting in Philadelphia next June.