Mechanical signaling in stem cell ageing

Cell Guidance Systems is delighted to be joined by Dr Kevin Chalut from Cambridge Stem Cell Institute in a live webinar. Abstract: Mechanical signaling in cell fate choice plays a significant role in tuning stem cell function. Specifically, my lab has shown that mechanics tunes the response of stem cells to biochemical signaling to steer fate choice. The feedback loop between mechanics and biochemical signaling has significant impact on cellular plasticity both in development and stem cells. I will show that, by tuning the mechanical microenvironment using synthetic scaffolds, we can reverse the loss of plasticity associated with ageing of stem cells in the brain. I will also show that, in vivo, we can ‘fool’ the stem cells in an aged brain into functioning as if they are in a soft, neonatal-like environment, thereby leading them to function like young stem cells. This result could have significant impact on treatments of disease like multiple sclerosis. To learn more about ready-to-use hydrogels, please click here: https://www.cellgs.com/items/matrigen...