Stem-cell creation enhanced with geometry

CHICAGO, March 17 (UPI) -- University of Chicago scientists say they have used geometrically patterned surfaces in a new approach to influence the development of stem cells.

Researchers said their procedure is a departure from that of many stem-cell biologists, who focus instead on uncovering the role of proteins in controlling the fate of stem cells.

"The cells are seeing the same soluble proteins," said Professor Milan Mrksich, who led the study. "In both cases it's the shape alone that's dictating whether (the cells) turn into fat or bone, and that hasn't been appreciated before."

The research team said it discovered making cells assume a star shape promotes a tense cytoskeleton, which provides structural support for cells, while a flower shape promotes a looser cytoskeleton.

"On a flower shape you get the majority of cells turning to fat, and on a star shape you've got the majority of cells turning into bone," said researcher Kris Kilian.

Mrksich cautioned the method is far from ready for use in the harvest of stem cells for therapeutic use, but it does signal a potentially promising direction for further study.

The research appeared in the March 1 early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.