title: Three-dimensional extracellular matrix-mediated neural stem cell differentiation in a microfluidic device.
abstract: Here, we report a unique method to quantify the effects of in vivo-like extracellular matrix (ECM) for guiding differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in three-dimensional (3D) microenvironments using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We successfully monitored and quantified differentiation of NSCs in small volume ECMs and found that differentiation of NSCs, especially those differentiating towards neuronal and oligodendrocytic lineages, is significantly enhanced by 3D microenvironments reconstituted in the microfluidic channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sewoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Kisuk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yoojin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jung Seung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Roger D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kamm
authors.forename: Seok
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Seung-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D020100:Hydrogels; C013830:baysilon