title: Micro- and nanoengineering approaches to control stem cell-biomaterial interactions.
abstract: As our population ages, there is a greater need for a suitable supply of engineered tissues to address a range of debilitating ailments. Stem cell based therapies are envisioned to meet this emerging need. Despite significant progress in controlling stem cell differentiation, it is still difficult to engineer human tissue constructs for transplantation. Recent advances in micro- and nanofabrication techniques have enabled the design of more biomimetic biomaterials that may be used to direct the fate of stem cells. These biomaterials could have a significant impact on the next generation of stem cell based therapies. Here, we highlight the recent progress made by micro- and nanoengineering techniques in the biomaterials field in the context of directing stem cell differentiation. Particular attention is given to the effect of surface topography, chemistry, mechanics and micro- and nanopatterns on the differentiation of embryonic, mesenchymal and neural stem cells.
authors: Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, USA. adolatshahi-pirouz@rics.bwh.harvard.edu.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Dolatshahi-Pirouz
authors: Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, USA. mnikkhah@rics.bwh.harvard.edu.
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Nikkhah
authors: Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. kristian.kolind@inano.au.dk.
authors: Kristian
authors: K
authors: Kolind
authors: Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, USA. mehmetd@mit.edu.
authors: Mehmet R
authors: MR
authors: Dokmeci
authors: Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, USA. alik@rics.bwh.harvard.edu.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Khademhosseini