Abstract
Microfabrication and microfluidics contribute to the research of cellular functions of cells and their interaction with their environment. Previously, it has been shown that microfluidics can contribute to the isolation, selection, characterization and migration of cells. This review aims to provide stem cell researchers with a toolkit of microtechnology (mT) instruments for elucidating complex stem cells functions which are challenging to decipher with traditional assays and animal models. These microdevices are able to investigate about the differentiation and niche interaction, stem cells transcriptomics, therapeutic functions and the capture of their secreted microvesicles. In conclusion, microtechnology will allow a more realistic assessment of stem cells properties, driving and accelerating the translation of regenerative medicine approaches to the clinic.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 233-248 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Regenerative Medicine |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the Chilean Ministry of Economy with its CORFO grant 3IDL2–18745 and the PMI fund UAN1301 granted by the Chilean Ministry of Education. M Khoury is the chief scientific officer of Cells for Cells and REGENERO. JP Acevedo received stipends from Cells for Cells. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 2018 Future Medicine Ltd.
Keywords
- cancer
- differentiation
- microfabrication
- microfluidics
- microtechnology
- regenerative medicine
- stem cells
- translational medicine
