Control of Stem Cell Fate and Function: A 3D Approach

The exciting and potent outcome of stem cell culture in 3D system on par with its performance in conventional 2D system has great impact on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In the recent milieu, 3D techniques are being explored in stem cell research as the cells cultured in 3D mimic native cellular morphology and physiological function, thus biomimetic tissue growth and organization is shaped in in vitro culture system. In a conventional cell culture, cells are cultured in plastic surfaces (for example, polypropylene tissue culture plate), which is a planar 2D system. As a result, structure and morphology of cells are altered in comparison to native cells and thus drastically loses its native physiological growth and functions, which hinders several biological features and long-term translational success of stem cell-based therapy. 3D culture provides an inimitable microenvironment for nutrient and oxygen supplies for the cell to grow, proliferate, migrate, differentiate and for other cellular functions analogous to native cellular growth. This talk focuses on controlling stem cell fate and functions using 3D culture system made of polymer nanofibers and hydrogels.

Author(s): Murugan Ramalingam

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