title: Overview of micro- and nano-technology tools for stem cell applications: micropatterned and microelectronic devices.
abstract: In the past few decades the scientific community has been recognizing the paramount role of the cell microenvironment in determining cell behavior. In parallel, the study of human stem cells for their potential therapeutic applications has been progressing constantly. The use of advanced technologies, enabling one to mimic the in vivo stem cell microenviroment and to study stem cell physiology and physio-pathology, in settings that better predict human cell biology, is becoming the object of much research effort. In this review we will detail the most relevant and recent advances in the field of biosensors and micro- and nano-technologies in general, highlighting advantages and disadvantages. Particular attention will be devoted to those applications employing stem cells as a  sensing element.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and CRIBI Biotechnology Centre, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. stefanoc@cribi.unipd.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cagnin
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cimetta
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guiducci
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: Gerolamo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanfranchi
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004581:Electronics; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*