Stem cells have received considerable notice in both the scientific and social arena. The course will examine the stem cell concept by a critical examination of the primary scientific literature. Topics will include pluripotency and plasticity, environment, technology, self-renewal, transdifferentiation, molecular signature, epigenetic programming and stem cell versus cancer cell. Prereqs., MCDB 2150, and MCDB 3120 and 3500, or MCDB 3135 and 3145, or instructor consent. Same as MCDB 5615.