Open Access4D Self‐Morphing Culture Substrate for Modulating Cell Differentiation
Author(s) -
Miao Shida,
Cui Haitao,
Esworthy Timothy,
Mahadik Bhushan,
Lee Sejun,
Zhou Xuan,
Hann Sung Yun,
Fisher John P.,
Zhang Lijie Grace
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201902403
Subject(s) - morphing , neural stem cell , stem cell , regenerative medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , cellular differentiation , cell culture , tissue engineering , biology , neuroscience , nanotechnology , materials science , computer science , artificial intelligence , biochemistry , genetics , gene
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.