Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
To understand the regulatory role of niches in maintaining stem-cell fate, multifactorial in vitro models are required. These systems should enable analysis of biochemical and biophysical niche effectors in a combinatorial fashion and in the context of a physiologically relevant cell-culture substrate. We report a microengineered platform comprised of soft hydrogel microwell arrays with modular stiffness (shear moduli of 1-50 kPa) in which individual microwells can be functionalized with combinations of proteins spotted by robotic technology. To validate the platform, we tested the effect of cell-cell interactions on adipogenic differentiation of adherent human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the effect of substrate stiffness on osteogenic MSC differentiation. We also identified artificial niches supporting extensive self-renewal of nonadherent mouse neural stem cells (NSCs). Using this method, it is possible to probe the effect of key microenvironmental perturbations on the fate of any stem cell type in single cells and in high throughput.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
