4D Self‐Morphing Culture Substrate for Modulating Cell Differentiation. Issue 6 (18th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miao, Shida; Cui, Haitao; Esworthy, Timothy; Mahadik, Bhushan; Lee, Se‐jun; Zhou, Xuan; Hann, Sung Yun; Fisher, John P.; Zhang, Lijie Grace
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 7:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-02-18
• Subjects: 4D culture substrates -- cell differentiation -- neural regeneration -- programmable culture substrates -- regenerative medicine -- stem cells; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

Abstract: As the most versatile and promising cell source, stem cells have been studied in regenerative medicine for two decades. Currently available culturing techniques utilize a 2D or 3D microenvironment for supporting the growth and proliferation of stem cells. However, these culture systems fail to fully reflect the supportive biological environment in which stem cells reside in vivo, which contain dynamic biophysical growth cues. Herein, a 4D programmable culture substrate with a self‐morphing capability is presented as a means to enhance dynamic cell growth and induce differentiation of stem cells. To function as a model system, a 4D neural culture substrate is fabricated using a combination of printing and imprinting techniques keyed to the different biological features of neural stem cells (NSCs) at different differentiation stages. Results show the 4D culture substrate demonstrates a time‐dependent self‐morphing process that plays an essential role in regulating NSC behaviors in a spatiotemporal manner and enhances neural differentiation of NSCs along with significant axonal alignment. This study of a customized, dynamic substrate revolutionizes current stem cell therapies, and can further have a far‐reaching impact on improving tissue regeneration and mimicking specific disease progression, as well as other impacts on materials and life science research. Abstract : A 4D programmable culture substrate with self‐morphing ability is presented to enhance dynamic growth and induce differentiation of stem cells. The result indicates the great potential of 4D culture substrates to serve as a new generation of commercially available scaffolds and devices that can be used to manipulate cell functions and fates.