Gel boosts stem cell studies

University scientists have found a new way to manufacture stem cells for research into treating diseases.

Scientists have developed a family of compounds that can support the growth of human embryonic stem cells on a large scale.

Their technique could have applications for use in drug testing or treatments for conditions such as such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Scaffold

The new materials, which are water-based gels, act as a tiny scaffold to which cells can cling as they grow.

Normally cells must be grown on expensive biological surfaces that can carry risk of contamination.

Once cells have multiplied sufficiently for their intended purpose, the gels can be cooled, enabling the stem cells to drop off the scaffold without becoming damaged.

The new approach surpasses existing techniques of separating cells by mechanical or chemical means, which carry a greater risk of damage to cells.

Efficient

Scientists say the materials could offer a means of enabling the stem cells to be produced in large numbers efficiently and with a lowered risk of contamination.

This could facilitate research, drug screening programmes and clinical applications that call for large numbers of cells.

Screening

Researchers at the University developed the materials by screening hundreds of potential compounds for their ability to support stem cell growth.

From a shortlist of four, one has been found to be effective, and researchers say the remaining three show similar potential.

Stem cells provide a powerful tool for screening drugs as they can be used to show the effects of drugs on cells and systems within the body.

The study, published in Nature Communications, was supported by the European Union Framework 7 Grant Funding.

The gels are being developed under licence by technology company Ilika.

This development could greatly enhance automated production of embryonic stem cells, which would improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of stem cell manufacturing. We are also looking into whether this work could help develop pluripotent stem cells induced from adult cells.