The Importance of Intricate Scaffolds for Adult Stem Cell Culture and Expansion

A while ago, StemLife recognized the importance of 3-D scaffolding for cellular expansion and this led to the research project collaboration with Singapore National University's Department of Engineering, specifically the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Department. Advances in nano-engineering technology and increased understanding of the cell's structural needs are evolving the way that scientists from different specialties work together towards a common goal of potentially reconstructing parts of the body. I'll keep you updated on our work as we go along.

It was therefore exciting to read this latest release from MIT regarding their research in 3-D scaffolds for the growth of stem cells. Researchers Zhang Shu guang and Fabrizio Gelain from Milan have created a scaffold made of protein nanofibers (made of amino acid fragments) which has successfully provided the growth bed for adult stem cells obtained from mice.

A 3-D system would not only better mimic the body's natural environment for the cells and the researchers expect that this aspect would assist in obtaining an accurate picture of how cells grow and behave in the body, but also allow the cells which have engrafted onto the scaffold to be transplanted directly into the body.

More interestingly, scaffolds will allow scientists to try seeding different cell types (such as teeth, bone, skin and other important excreting organs such as liver and pancreas cells) and maybe enable these cells to form the important supporting cell types which enable the organ to function biochemically as well as structurally.


MORE INFO:

If you'd like to know a bit more about Prof. Zhang, click here for his CV and contact details.

If you'd like to know more about the nanofiber scaffolds by Prof. Zhang's group, you can view the MIT presentation here. It would be better to listen to him in a presentation and some of the pictures in the slides are missing but you'll get the general idea.


If you're interested in seeing your own body's scaffolding ability, have a close look at your nails with its multiple layers and if you happen to take some of the skin off your lips- you'll also be able to see the intricate layers of protein which give the sheets its tensile strength and patterns. :)