Session: Biomaterials for Stem Cell Expansion and Differentiation

Stem cells hold great promise as a tool in regenerative medicine; however, maintaining, expanding, and differentiating stem cells on the scale and with the uniformity necessary for clinical applications is challenging. Biomaterials can assist in overcoming these obstacles. By researching how biomaterials’ physical, chemical, and mechanical properties influence cell phenotype, it is possible to manipulate these properties to guide cell behavior. This session will include studies examining the design and use of biomaterials to direct stem cell behavior, studies investigating changes in phenotype as a result of biomaterial interactions, and studies characterizing biomaterials used in stem cell culture and differentiation.