AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition
    Biomaterial Interfaces Monday Sessions
       Session BI-MoA

Invited Paper BI-MoA1
Bioengineering Stem Cell Fate

Monday, November 9, 2009, 2:00 pm, Room K

Session: Protein and Cell Interactions at Interfaces I
Presenter: K. Havenstrite, Stanford University
Authors: H.M. Blau, Stanford University
K. Havenstrite, Stanford University
Correspondent: Click to Email
A major challenge facing stem cell biologists is an understanding of the mechanisms that direct stem cell fate: the delicate balance between quiescence, self-renewal, and differentiation. Adult stem cells are localized in niches, specialized microenvironments, which protect them from differentiation. Upon culture, adult stem cells lose their “stemness”, or ability to self-renew. We have engineered artificial in vitro microenvironments that mimic key biochemical characteristics of adult stem cell niches in order to analyze the properties of stem cells and influence their fate. Microwell arrays are produced as topographically structured polymer hydrogel surfaces allowing exposure of single cells either to soluble or tethered niche proteins. Using this platform, phenotypic and dynamic analyses of thousands of individual cells can be monitored simultaneously by time lapse microscopy. We have found that single proteins alter proliferation kinetics and asymmetric division behavior, leading to muscle and hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal in culture. Our data demonstrate that parameters of proliferation behavior in vitro correlate with stem cell function assayed in vivo. Ultimately, the goal of these studies is to increase our understanding of stem cell biology, expand stem cells in vitro for clinical applications, and discover new drugs for stimulating a patient’s own stem cells.