MIT researchers grow stem cells on synthetic surface

Existing materials used to grow stem cells include cells and proteins of mice embryos that help simulate stem cell growth but are subject to immune reaction if injected into humans. To change this, researchers at MIT have created a synthetic surface, sans any animal material, which lets stem cell to stay alive for at least three months. Furthermore, the synthetic material also allows a single cell to form colonies of identical cells facilitating cell identification.

better way to grow stem cells

Stem cells are a key when it comes to treating all kinds of diseases associated with cells, diseases which include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries etc. Human pluripotent stem cells — embryonic cells or body cells that have been reprogrammed to an immature state — are the form of cells that can be developed into any type of specialized body cell, but making it is a tricky business. Researchers need stem cells that can be grown in the lab, which can multiply their genre and form colonies clinically viable identical cells.

For this after various hits and trials, the research team of Professors Robert Langer, Rudolf Jaenisch and Daniel G. Anderson has managed to recognize that hydrophobicity – a material’s water repelling degree — is a characteristic, adjusting to which a synthetic material was good enough to grow stem cells on. Further adjusting the polymers, the researchers were able to boost the stem cell output.

Via: MIT