Designing materials to direct stem-cell fate.
Proper tissue function and regeneration rely on robust spatial and temporal control of biophysical and biochemical microenvironmental cues through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Biomaterials are rapidly being developed to display and deliver stem-cell-regulatory signals in a precise and near-physiological fashion, and serve as powerful artificial microenvironments in which to study and instruct stem-cell fate both in culture and in vivo. Further synergism of cell biological and biomaterials technologies promises to have a profound impact on stem-cell biology and provide insights that will advance stem-cell-based clinical approaches to tissue regeneration.
Lutolf
Matthias P
MP
Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. matthias.lutolf@epfl.ch
Gilbert
Penney M
PM
Blau
Helen M
HM
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002450:Cell Communication; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D055153:Stem Cell Niche; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
D001672:Biocompatible Materials