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Nanofiber Topography Impacts Adult Neural Stem Cell Differentiation Hai-Quan Mao (Johns Hopkins University) DMR 0748340.
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Nanofiber Topography Impacts Adult Neural Stem Cell DifferentiationHai-Quan Mao (Johns Hopkins University) DMR 0748340 The overall objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that nanofiber topography influences adhesion, migration and thereby proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs). We have generated a nanofiber scaffold system offering precise control over topographical features (diameter and alignment), demonstrated that nanotopography significantly enhances NSC interaction with scaffold. More interestingly, randomly aligned nanofibers promoted NSC differentiation to oligodendrocytes, whereas uniaxially aligned fibers enhanced neuronal differentiation. Our fiber platform offers an alternative tool for studying stem cell-substrate interactions. Understanding the mechanisms of nanofiber-presentation of key cellular cues will help establish a theoretical framework for the rational design of stem cell engineering. 283-nm Fiber RIP GFAP 749-nm Fiber Nestin Tuj-1
Nanofiber Topography Impacts Adult Neural Stem Cell DifferentiationHai-Quan Mao (Johns Hopkins University)DMR 0748340 • The nanofiber scaffold design principles developed in this study will be broadly applicable to various types of stem cells. • The PI has established collaborations with biotech companies that provide a venue to accelerating the dissemination of the research findings. • The PI’s lab participates in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program at Hopkins and the training program at the Institute of NanoBioTechnology. Both provide interdisciplinary training on biomaterials, nanotechnology and stem cells to female high school students and undergraduate students.