Scaffolding nanomaterials for stem cell proliferation, migration and neural differentiation
Chalmers University of Technology, BioNano Systems LaboratoryLaboratory
| Title | Forname | Surname | Institution | Country |
| Professor | Georg | Kuhn | University of Gothenburg, Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (CBR) | Sweden |
| Dr. | Johan | Liu | Sweden | |
| Mr. | Johan | Hyllner | Sweden | |
| Institution | University of Gothenburg, Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation (CBR) |
| Street Address | Medicinaregatan 11 |
| City | |
| Postcode | 405 30 |
- Sweden
VINNOVA
560000
01-04-2009
36
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
Stem cells, nanofibers, neuroregeneration
The project explores the possibility to create a regenerative milieu for the adult human brain using biocompatible nanofibers. We investigate how nanofibers, modified by surface nanostructuring and linkage of different cell adhesion molecules and neurotrophic factors, can influence stem cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and differentiation in vitro. Human embryonic stem cells and adult human brain stem cells to develop novel in vitro assays. Ultimately, the biofunctionalized nanofibers will form the technology platform for the development of injectable nanofiber materials that will provide artificial niches for brain tissue regeneration from endogenous neural stem cells in vivo.
We see a two-fold impact ofthe project. The biotechnology sector will benefit from the development of novel in vitro assay systems where nanofiber matrices are combined with human stem cells to form a complete assay kit, which required minimal handling and manipulation. Such assays could be used for drug screening purposes to develop novel neuroregenerative drugs. In regenerative medicine, the nanofiber concept is particularly applicable to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons or Huntingtons disease, where no structural restoration therapies exist and where specific neuronal cell types are lost. Due to the rising costs for long-term care and rehabilitation, the development of successful regenerative therapies could have an enormous socioeconomic impact.
The project consists of five distinct tasks, each connected with a subset of milestones: (1) Optimization of nanofabrication techniques for biological mimicries, (2) Functionalization of nanofibers, (3) Development of an artificial stem cell proliferation niche, (4) Development of artificial radial glia-like nanofibers for cell migration and (5) Development of artificial nanofiber network for stem cell differentiation.