Nanorobotic microgels to control stem cell fate

Introduction

Myocardial infarction continues to claim the lives of millions of people every year, and survivors are often left with severe health issues. Transplanting cardiac cells engineered from human stem cells into the injured heart is a particularly promising approach to repairing damaged cardiac tissue.

Problem Statement

Despite extensive research on stem cell-based therapies, a major limitation is effectively regulating stem cell differentiation. Mechanically training stem cells throughout culture could be a solution, by exploiting their mechanosensitive nature. However, there is currently a lack of technology that can recreate the mechanically dynamic microenvironment of tissue.

Project Aim

Therefore, I aim to develop an innovative cell culture technology, based on designer microgels and nanorobotics, which will allow control over stem cell differentiation.

Methodology

To achieve this goal, I will:

1. Package pluripotent stem cells in smart microgels using microfluidics.
2. Rigorously adjust material properties to ensure culture conditions that simulate the native tissue microenvironment.
3. Utilize smart microgels with tunable stiffness to improve cardiogenic differentiation in pluripotent stem cells.
4. Integrate wirelessly controlled nanoactuators to mechanically train stem cells to decipher the relationship between forces and stem cell differentiation.

Team Collaboration

Together with my team, I will develop rapid culture and stimulation methods based on microfluidics to identify the best conditions for stem cell preparation.

Conclusion

This multifunctional technology will contribute to achieving efficient cardiac regeneration and has great potential to make a big impact in regenerative medicine.