(476a) (Invited Talk) Hydrogels to Study and Guide Cell Fate and Tissue Assembly

Cellular processes such as migration, differentiation and tissue formation (morphogenesis) take place in an intricate milieu. However, we are lacking understanding of how extracellular cues regulate intracellular signaling to determine cell fate and morphogenesis. A key challenge in the field is the simultaneous crosstalk among multiple extracellular cues and intracellular signaling pathways makes it difficult to study one aspect in isolation from others. The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides critical support for cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and morphogenesis. Hydrogel biomaterials can be designed to mimic key aspects of the ECM in isolation and as interface with other extracellular cues. In this talk I will present our recent efforts to develop and use hydrogels to understand how physicochemical cues and downstream signaling pathways impact cell fate and tissue assembly from progenitors and pluripotent stem cells.