The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation

Embryonic stems cells (ESCs) hold great potential for regenerative medicine. However, the ability to drive ESCs differentiation into specific lineages remains a major challenge. Extracellular matrix (ECM) being an essential component of the stem cell niche influences stem cell behaviors. Classically...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Woo, Mun Wah
Other Authors: Koh Cheng Gee
Format: Final Year Project
Language:English
Published: 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67364
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
id sg-ntu-dr.10356-67364
record_format dspace
spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-673642023-02-28T18:06:00Z The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation Woo, Mun Wah Koh Cheng Gee School of Biological Sciences DRNTU::Science Embryonic stems cells (ESCs) hold great potential for regenerative medicine. However, the ability to drive ESCs differentiation into specific lineages remains a major challenge. Extracellular matrix (ECM) being an essential component of the stem cell niche influences stem cell behaviors. Classically, emphasis was placed on ECM biochemical roles and how it regulates intracellular signaling cascades to direct stem cell differentiation. Recent evidence suggests that the mechanical properties of ECM can influence stem cell differentiation through remodeling of the cytoskeletal organization. This project aims to investigate the effects of matrix-stiffness on stem cell differentiation and lineage preferences. In addition, the role of a small GTPase, Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA), which has been well documented for its role in regulation of cytoskeleton, in stiffness-mediated ESCs differentiation. Mouse ESCs were cultured on semi-synthetic hydrogels of different stiffnesses (1, 2.5, 10 and 40kPa). Expression of germ layer markers were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our results revealed that matrix-stiffness mediated germ layer specification. Additionally, we observed that RhoA expression positively correlates with matrix-stiffness. Nonetheless, RhoA functions in matrix-stiffness mediated stem cell differentiation remains weakly supported. ECM mechanical properties continue to be a critical factor to determine stem cell fate. Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences 2016-05-16T04:17:42Z 2016-05-16T04:17:42Z 2016 Final Year Project (FYP) http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67364 en Nanyang Technological University 1 p. application/pdf
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
continent Asia
country Singapore
Singapore
content_provider NTU Library
collection DR-NTU
language English
topic DRNTU::Science
spellingShingle DRNTU::Science
Woo, Mun Wah
The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation
description Embryonic stems cells (ESCs) hold great potential for regenerative medicine. However, the ability to drive ESCs differentiation into specific lineages remains a major challenge. Extracellular matrix (ECM) being an essential component of the stem cell niche influences stem cell behaviors. Classically, emphasis was placed on ECM biochemical roles and how it regulates intracellular signaling cascades to direct stem cell differentiation. Recent evidence suggests that the mechanical properties of ECM can influence stem cell differentiation through remodeling of the cytoskeletal organization. This project aims to investigate the effects of matrix-stiffness on stem cell differentiation and lineage preferences. In addition, the role of a small GTPase, Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA), which has been well documented for its role in regulation of cytoskeleton, in stiffness-mediated ESCs differentiation. Mouse ESCs were cultured on semi-synthetic hydrogels of different stiffnesses (1, 2.5, 10 and 40kPa). Expression of germ layer markers were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our results revealed that matrix-stiffness mediated germ layer specification. Additionally, we observed that RhoA expression positively correlates with matrix-stiffness. Nonetheless, RhoA functions in matrix-stiffness mediated stem cell differentiation remains weakly supported. ECM mechanical properties continue to be a critical factor to determine stem cell fate.
author2 Koh Cheng Gee
author_facet Koh Cheng Gee
Woo, Mun Wah
format Final Year Project
author Woo, Mun Wah
author_sort Woo, Mun Wah
title The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation
title_short The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation
title_full The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation
title_fullStr The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation
title_full_unstemmed The influence of ECM matrix on stem cell differentiation
title_sort influence of ecm matrix on stem cell differentiation
publishDate 2016
url http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67364
_version_ 1759854301822320640