From Computer Models Of Stem Cell Growth To Creating Mature Cells
To do this, he has been applying engineering principles to stem cell research - work that has just earned him recognition by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The society inducted him as a Fellow during its Annual Conference, held in Boston from February 14 to 18.
Starting with computer models of stem cell growth and differentiation (the process by which a stem cell matures into its final form), Zandstra has moved on to develop more sophisticated culture methods that fine-tune the microenvironments to guide the generation of the different cells types that make up the mature cells in our tissues: heart cells for the heart or blood cells for blood.
"If you describe something mathematically, you have a much better understanding of it than if you just observe it," he says. "And it's also a powerful way to test many different hypotheses in silico before going into the lab and doing the much more difficult experiments in vitro."
Dr. Zandstra, the Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Bioengineering, also held a prestigious NSERC Steacie Fellowship. The Steacie prize - which goes to six select Canadian professors annually - allowed Zandstra to extend his work from mouse to man.
"There's only so much we can do with mouse cells," notes Dr. Zandstra. "Now if we can also figure out how to get human embryonic stem cells to differentiate on command to generate functional adult-like cells, you can begin to think about the kinds of medical conditions you could treat with them."
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Article adapted by Start Sanatate from original press release.
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Peter Zandstra
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Eva Schacherl
Manager, Communications
Canada Research Chairs
Source: Doré Dunne
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Computer de la modele de creºtere de celule stem pentru a crea celule mature - From Computer Models Of Stem Cell Growth To Creating Mature Cells - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate