Tracking stem cell fate using a cell-based microscale platform

BIOT 2

Tiago G Fernandes, fernat2@rpi.edu1, Seok Joon Kwon, kwons2@rpi.edu1, Moo-Yeal Lee, leem2@rpi.edu1, Margarida M Diogo2, Cláudia Lobato da Silva2, Joaquim MS Cabral, joaquim.cabral@ist.utl.pt2, and Jonathan S. Dordick, dordick@rpi.edu1. (1) Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180-3590, (2) IBB - Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisboa, 1049-001, Portugal
Stem cells are potential sources for clinical applications. However, their therapeutic use is contingent upon precise control over the cell population during their in vitro expansion and differentiation. We have developed a miniaturized 3D cell-culture based chip for high-throughput screening. The cell chip consists of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells encapsulated in 20nL alginate gels arrayed on a functionalized glass slide. Our results show that this platform is suitable for studying the expansion of mES cells, while retaining their pluripotent and undifferentiated state. Moreover, it provides a suitable system for the high-throughput screening of small molecules and their combinations that direct the fate of stem cells in a spatially addressable manner. This screening was aided by the development of a microarray in-cell Western technique that provides highly quantitative information on cell function. We expect this work to impact the design and control of stem cells for tissue engineering and biological studies.
 

Stem Cells: Quantifying, Modeling and Controlling Stem Cell Fate
8:20 AM-10:40 AM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 BCEC -- 108, Oral

Division of Biochemical Technology

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007