Current challenges in corneal endothelial cells (CEC) transplantation include the limited availability of donor grafts and the inability of CECs to regenerate within the body.
Researchers in Prof. Paul George's laboratory have patented a conductive polymer scaffold designed to electrically stimulate neural progenitor cells (NPCs) for enhanced neural regeneration.
Stem cells are generally influenced by a microenvironmental niche, typically comprised of epithelial and mesenchymal cells and extracellular substrates. Many attempts have been made to produce culture systems that mimic normal intestinal epithelial growth and differentiation.
Patients with celiac disease have a pathological reaction to gluten and have either HLA-DQ2+ (90%) or HLA-DQ8+, but expression of these MHC class II haplotypes is not sufficient and other factors are necessary for the development of celiac sprue.
Obtaining pure cell types from mixed cell populations continues to be a significant obstacle in the fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
A team of Stanford engineers has identified first-in-class epidermal growth factor (EGF) mutants with enhanced activity. These mutants can stimulate increased EGF receptor activation at 10-fold lower concentrations than wild-type EGF.
Collagen-based hydrogels behave similarly to the native tissue microenvironment, thus are widely used as scaffolds for encapsulating cells or molecules like growth factors. Collagen solution is an injectable liquid until it crosslinks at 37 C and physiological pH.
The Heilshorn group has developed a platform for 3D bioprinting which stiffens the structure post-printing using chemistry that is completely bioorthogonal.
Stanford researchers have identified a biomarker on cartilage precursor cells that can predict which cells will develop into inflammation-resistant and functionally appropriate tissue for autologous transplants to treat osteoarthritis.
Radiation therapy is a common option in diseases like breast cancer, but can also cause significant damage to the skin. Permanent scarring and fibrosis can result, with both aesthetic and functional consequences for cancer patients.
Stanford researchers have proposed the use of a conductive graphene scaffold (CGS) as a biocompatible scaffold for growth of neural tissues. The high conductivity enables the use of electrical stimulation to control the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
A team of Stanford scientists have developed a technique to rapidly convert adult somatic cells directly into functional neuronal cells without the intermediate step of generating iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells).
Current injectable hydrogel materials have fast erosion and limited tunability of their mechanical properties at different stages of applications, limiting their biomedical applications.