How Controversy and Socioeconomic Factors Influence Stem Cell Research.

Adult stem cells dominate worldwide stem cell clinical trials. We investigated factors that may explain levels of stem cell research across different countries. Stem cell trials from clinicaltrials.

Transient cellular adhesion on poly(ethylene-glycol)-dimethacrylate hydrogels facilitates a novel stem cell bandage approach.

We discovered a transient adhesion property in poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMA) hydrogels and employed it to develop a novel "stem cell bandage" model of cellular delivery. First, we cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on the surface of PEG-DMA hydrogels with high amounts of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) adhesive peptides (RGD++) or without RGD (RGD-). On day 1, MSCs underwent an initial adhesion to RGD- hydrogels that was not significantly different over 13 days (n = 6).

How Humanae vitae has advanced reproductive health.

By encouraging doctors and scientists to improve the regulation of births through the observation of natural fertility rhythms, Humanae vitae promoted the development of natural family planning (NFP). The study of NFP has lead to NFP-based methodologies in reproductive healthcare that are promoting advances in treatment of infertility, miscarriage, and a number of reproductive health disorders. In contrast, the contraceptive mentality has stunted the development of reproductive healthcare.

Cyclic tensile culture promotes fibroblastic differentiation of marrow stromal cells encapsulated in poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels.

To inform future efforts in tendon/ligament tissue engineering, our laboratory has developed a well-controlled model system with the ability to alter both external tensile loading parameters and local biochemical cues to better understand marrow stromal cell differentiation in response to both stimuli concurrently. In particular, the synthetic, poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel material oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) has been explored as a cell carrier for this system. This biomaterial can be tailored to present covalently incorporated bioactive moieties and can be loaded in our custom cyclic tensile bioreactor for up to 28 days with no loss of material integrity.

Techniques for biological characterization of tissue-engineered tendon and ligament.

Injuries to tendons and ligaments are prevalent and result in a significant decrease in quality of patient life. Tissue-engineering strategies hold promise as alternatives to current treatments for these injuries, which often fail to fully restore proper joint biomechanics and produce significant donor site morbidity. Commonly, tissue engineering involves the use of a three-dimensional scaffold seeded with cells that can be directed to form tendon/ligament tissue.