Publications by authors named "Lynn Y W Yap"
The standard method for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESC) uses supporting feeder layers of cells or an undefined substrate, Matrigel(™), which is a basement membrane extracted from murine sarcoma. For stem cell therapeutic applications, a superior alternative would be a defined, artificial surface that is based on immobilized human plasma vitronectin (VN), which is an adhesion-mediating protein. Therefore, VN adsorbed to diverse polymer surfaces was explored for the continuous propagation of hESC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDefining a threshold surface density of vitronectin for the stable expansion of human embryonic stem cells.
Tissue Eng Part C Methods
February 2011
Article Synopsis
- Current methods for expanding human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) use animal-derived substrates, which limits their use in medicine; this study aims to find a more suitable solution.
- The researchers successfully maintained hESCs on human vitronectin-coated plates for over 20 passages, with the cells remaining pluripotent and genetically stable.
- The study also identified a critical surface density of vitronectin needed for optimal cell attachment and growth, which could help in developing a completely defined, animal-component-free system for stem cell research.