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    Can We Build Organs? Techniques in Regenerative Medicine
    In-person Program

    Can We Build Organs? Techniques in Regenerative Medicine

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Explore tissue engineering through cell culture, scaffold experiments and 3D design, with discussion of how regenerative medicine could address organ shortages.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Can We Build Organs? Techniques at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Completing grades 9-12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

    Cost

    $4,482; $5,786

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    BiologyBiomedical EngineeringMedicineEntrepreneurshipEthics
    Class size: 24 students
    Accommodation: Single, double or triple rooms
    Meals: Residential: three; commuter: one daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
    Tutors / faculty: Toni-Marie Achilli; graduate teaching assistants
    Sessions / cadence: 3h weekdays + 2-3h homework daily
    Campus experience: Libraries, activities and fitness facilities

    Can We Build Organs? Techniques summary

    Brown's regenerative medicine course connects cellular biology with engineering design and the challenge of organ shortages.

    Students work with cell cultures, tissue scaffolds and vascular perfusion, then use computer-aided design and 3D printing to explore medical technologies.

    It suits students who want to test their interest in laboratory science while considering how discoveries become treatments.

    What is Can We Build Organs? Techniques in Regenerative Medicine?

    Can We Build Organs? Techniques in Regenerative Medicine is a Summer@Brown course at Brown University that explores how cells, tissues and organs might be repaired or regenerated. Designed and taught by Toni-Marie Achilli, it combines cellular biology, tissue engineering, 3D printing and entrepreneurial strategy.

    Students rotate through laboratory techniques, including sterile cell culture, scaffold preparation and vascular perfusion. They also model organ vasculature and medical technologies while discussing the ethical and economic challenges of bringing biomedical discoveries to patients.

    Why Succeed highlights Can We Build Organs? Techniques

    • Authentic cell culture and scaffold experiments make tissue engineering concrete.

    • Computer-aided design and 3D printing connect biological questions with engineering decisions.

    • Faculty and graduate teaching assistants provide one-on-one guidance during demanding laboratory work.

    • Ethics and economics discussions help students examine what happens between discovery and patient treatment.

    Who is Can We Build Organs? Techniques for?

    Best for

    Students curious about the overlap between biology, biomedical engineering and medicine who enjoy practical experiments.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light summer schedule, college credit or a guaranteed advantage in Brown undergraduate admissions.

    Is Can We Build Organs? Techniques worth it?

    This is a strong option if access to authentic tissue-engineering methods is your main goal. The combination of laboratory rotations, design work and individual guidance can help you judge whether biomedical research interests you enough to pursue further.

    The financial commitment and daily workload deserve careful consideration. The course is non-credit, and Brown explicitly says Pre-College is not an undergraduate admissions prospecting program; its value lies in what you learn and can explain afterward.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $4,482; $5,786; includes Three hours of weekday classes., Residential: residence-hall accommodation and three daily meals., Commuter: one dining-hall meal daily., Fitness, athletic and aquatics facility access., Program activities and excursions., Digital CeCertificate of Completion after successful completion., Instructor-written Course Performance Report..

    Accommodation

    Single, double or triple rooms

    Meals

    Residential: three; commuter: one daily

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Can We Build Organs? Techniques need?

    Effort level

    High.

    Best started

    Prepare six to eight weeks before a future application deadline, allowing time for grades, writing and English testing if required.

    Main challenge

    Balancing careful laboratory work with independent study and campus responsibilities.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic cell biology and prepare questions about tissue regeneration.

    • Gather current and previous academic-year grades and draft the application essay independently.

    • Arrange English testing early if it applies to you.

    • Plan closed-toed shoes and long pants for laboratory sessions, and discuss travel and communication arrangements with your family.

    Useful if

    You want to explore how biology and engineering address medical problems.

    What do students do on Can We Build Organs? Techniques?

    You investigate regenerative medicine through practical laboratory rotations and engineering design. Alongside the experiments, you discuss how ethical choices and economic constraints influence biomedical innovation.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore why some tissues regenerate and others lose function.

    2. 2

      Practice sterile cell culture and characterize mammalian cell constructs.

    3. 3

      Create decellularized scaffolds and investigate vascular perfusion with blood.

    4. 4

      Use computer-aided design, drafting software and 3D printers to model organ vasculature and medical technologies.

    5. 5

      Discuss organ shortages and the challenges of translating discoveries into treatments.

    Can We Build Organs? Techniques dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    Shared Brown Pre-College deadline, extended from the original date.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    13-24 July 2026

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College summer 2026 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 9-12 under Summer@Brown's general eligibility.

    • Ages 14-18 by 14 June 2026.

    • Strong English proficiency for academic study and independent campus life.

    • Brown Pre-College admission followed by separate course enrollment.

    • Any additional course-specific age requirements or prerequisites.

    • Required in-person program immunizations and health documentation.

    How much does Can We Build Organs? Techniques cost?

    Program fee

    $4,482; $5,786 — Commuter; residential, for the two-week 2026 course.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Eligible applicants may request a fee waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Non-refundable, with an exception for qualifying Brown course cancellations.
    • Sibley scholarships: Need-based — Eligibility restrictions apply; funding is limited and not guaranteed.
    • PPSD scholarships: Full scholarship — For qualifying Providence Public School District students who complete the scholarship process and gain admission.
    • Employee-dependent scholarships: 20% or 50% — For eligible Brown employee dependents; the larger option is partially taxable.
    • Partner scholarships: Nomination required — An established partner organization must nominate the student.

    What's included

    Three hours of weekday classes., Residential: residence-hall accommodation and three daily meals., Commuter: one dining-hall meal daily., Fitness, athletic and aquatics facility access., Program activities and excursions., Digital CeCertificate of Completion after successful completion., Instructor-written Course Performance Report.

    How to apply to Can We Build Organs? Techniques

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account in Brown's Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and write the original 250-500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades and any required English test results.

    4. 4

      Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible waiver, and arrange a recommendation if selected or requested.

    5. 5

      Monitor your email and portal for missing-material requests and the admission decision.

    6. 6

      After admission, confirm the intended course, pay the $500 deposit and enroll separately through the portal.

    7. 7

      Complete the student and parent or guardian forms and arrange payment and travel.

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    What does Can We Build Organs? Techniques cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Cell culture

    Practice sterile cell culture and histochemical characterization of mammalian cell constructs.

    Scaffolds and tissue regeneration

    Create decellularized scaffolds and explore early-stage tissue regeneration strategies.

    Vascular perfusion

    Investigate how blood cells move through vascular networks in scaffold experiments.

    Medical technology design

    Use computer-aided design and 3D printing to model organ vasculature and medical technologies.

    Biomedical innovation

    Discuss organ shortages, biomedical economics and the ethical challenges of translating discoveries into treatments.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Can We Build Organs? Techniques?

    A typical day during the program.

    Classes

    Three hours each weekday; classes may meet in the morning or afternoon.

    Independent work

    At least two to three hours of homework, with students managing their own study time.

    Campus activities

    Optional workshops, activities and events run throughout the day.

    Residential check in

    Face-to-face check-in at 10 p.m. ET, followed by remaining on the floor until 6 a.m.

    Who teaches on Can We Build Organs? Techniques?

    Toni-Marie Achilli, Brown's Associate Dean of Biology Undergraduate Education, designed and teaches the course. Graduate teaching assistants Madison Smith and Ilayda Top and Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories staff support the practical work.

    The course accommodates 24 students and provides one-on-one guidance.

    Where do students stay on Can We Build Organs? Techniques?

    Residential plan

    • Residence-hall rooms: Single, double or triple rooms have college furniture, wireless internet and cooling.
    • Three daily meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in Brown's all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
    • Residential support: Resident Assistants and trained staff provide support, with required nightly check-ins and staff on call 24/7.
    • Facilities and activities: Students can use fitness and aquatics facilities and participate in program activities and excursions.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter study spaces: Commuters can use academic buildings, the campus center and libraries without overnight accommodation.
    • Commuter meals and activities: One daily dining-hall meal, campus activities and fitness facility access are included.
    • Commuter transportation: A Brown ID provides free RIPTA transportation during the course.

    Roommate requests are not honored; residential students bring their own bedding and towels.

    What happens after Can We Build Organs? Techniques?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build cell culture and tissue-engineering laboratory skills.

    Explore the relationship between medicine and biomedical engineering.

    Develop a clearer understanding of translating scientific discoveries into treatments.

    Receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion after successful completion.

    Receive an instructor-written Course Performance Report.

    The course is non-credit, and Brown Pre-College is not an undergraduate admissions prospecting program.

    Where does Can We Build Organs? Techniques take place?

    The course takes place at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with practical work supported by its Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories. Summer@Brown students also have access to campus libraries and student life activities.

    Families arrange transportation to and from campus; Brown Pre-College does not coordinate travel assistance.

    Can We Build Organs? Techniques FAQs

    Students practice sterile cell culture, create decellularized scaffolds and perfuse vascular networks with blood. They also use computer-aided design and 3D printing to model organ vasculature and medical technologies.

    Toni-Marie Achilli, Brown's Associate Dean of Biology Undergraduate Education, designed and teaches the course. Graduate teaching assistants Madison Smith and Ilayda Top and Multidisciplinary Teaching Laboratories staff support students.

    Summer@Brown schedules three hours of class each weekday and expects at least two to three hours of homework daily. Students must attend every class and manage their independent work around optional activities.

    This Summer@Brown course is non-credit. Successful completion earns a digital CeCertificate of Completion, and the two-week course also provides an instructor-written Course Performance Report.

    Yes. Commuters attend classes in person, have access to campus resources and activities, and receive one dining-hall meal per day. The commuter option does not provide overnight accommodation.

    Residential students are assigned a single, double or triple residence-hall room. Their program fee includes breakfast, lunch and dinner each day; roommate requests are not honored.

    Trained student life staff and Resident Assistants support students, with staff on call around the clock. Residential students check in face to face at 10 p.m. and remain on their floor until 6 a.m.; students also have considerable independence outside required attendance touchpoints.

    No. Admission to Brown Pre-College and course enrollment are separate steps, and admission does not guarantee a seat in a particular course. Students should confirm their preferred course before paying the non-refundable deposit.

    Alternatives to Can We Build Organs? Techniques

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Growing curiosity: Pre-College students explore regenerative medicine | Brown University
    • Pre-College Course Catalog Brown University
    • Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Commuter - Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Summer@Brown
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Fee Waivers | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • 2026 Program Costs — Breakdown of Fees
    • Pre-College Program | Brown University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity verified

    • Teaching dates checked

    • Application deadline cross-checked

    • Residential and commuter fees checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Workload and support reviewed

    • Funding restrictions checked

    • Completion credentials verified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.