What does the future hold for stem cells in relation to tissue engineering - Essay Example

The Future of Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering THE FUTURE OF STEM CELLS IN TISSUE ENGINEERING Stem cells can be defined as undifferentiated cells with the capacity of self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation to become particular phenotypes (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p6). There are various cues that are essential in the control of cell differentiation, which include several mechanical forces that are necessary in the micro-environment of the cells, i.e. in the inter-cellular environment.

In particular, the specific type and nature of the substrate that acts as the “culture” for these cells to lie in, as well as its innate stiffness are especially recognized as being crucial in the determination of a cell’s fate. Stem cell researchers have in the recent past been involved in elucidating the effects of mechanical factors in tissue generation and engineering with regards to stem cell biology, especially as this field is still poorly understood (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p7).

Stem cells possess immense potential in the field of tissue engineering. Potential hopes for future regeneration of damaged or diseased tissue are partially dependent on the use of various intricate combinations of stem cells with growth factors and scaffolds (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p61). In order to mimic the natural development of tissue in the lab, researchers require appropriate topographical and biochemical cues in a manner that is spatially controlled. Therefore, the future of stem cells in tissue engineering is dependent on the use of nano-technology, in this case nano-topography, in order to influence the behavior of cells.

This includes various behaviors like proliferation, attachment, and differentiation that play vital roles in engineering of tissues. Majority of the research into stem cells and tissue engineering is currently focused on biochemical and biomechanical signals and cell adhesion and how these cooperate to enable tissues, cells, and organisms to adapt to changes within the environment. In the future, it is possible that mechanical forces like mechano-sensing, cell matrix adhesions, cell-cell adhesions, and cell proliferation can be controlled using nano and micro-fabrication tools (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p62).

This will allow researchers to understand the manner in which these processes enable cells to respond to their environment. Stem cells also have the potential to allow cellular nucleus control, which will be essential in tissue engineering. The size and morphology of the cell nucleus has emerged as a potential genome function mechanistic regulator, which means that it is a crucial part of research into tissue engineering (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p66). Physical connections that bridge the cytoplasm and nucleus are important factors in governing the shape and size of the eukaryotic nucleus.

During cellular differentiation, the nucleus’ mechanical properties change and this differentiation is, in part, governed by the micro-environment’s physical aspects. Through the use of stem cells in vitro, these physical aspects of the cellular microenvironment can be understood with regards to its links with protein organization and gene organization. From cellular detection of mechanical force to signal transduction along the pathway of biochemical signaling, there are numerous regulatory interactions involved with cadherins, integrins, and other proteins involved in signal detection (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p66).

Stem cells will play a potentially critical role in mimicking transduction to necessary effector molecules required to elicit mechano-responses necessary in tissue engineering (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p67). Studying how the different proteins interact in this cascade, which leads to cell-matrix adhesion and cell-cell adhesion, will play a vital role in developing new paradigms related to methods of tissue engineering through the use of stem cells. Finally, stem cells will be essential in studying mechanical property changes of individual cells and tissues (Pavlovic & Bálint, 2013: p67).

Such work will result in a better comprehension of the prevalent relationship between cellular functions and mechanical properties required in tissue engineering. ReferencePavlovic, M., & Bálint, B. (2013). Stem cells and tissue engineering. New York, Springer.