Novel microengineered environments for mouse embryonic stem cell (mesc) differentiation towards cardiomyocytes
Cardiomyocytes (CMs) are the contractile cells of the heart. Their regenerative capacity is lost after birth. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are able to differentiate into functional CMs, however this process is not yet efficient. The elucidation of ESCs’ differentiation into CMs could provide an additional avenue for therapeutic interventions and disease modeling. This interdisciplinary project will result in a unique platform that targets precise quantification of the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying mouse ESC cardiac differentiation at the single cell level. The platform takes the advantages of 3D tailored conductive microscaffolds (3DTCMSs) to deliver precise mechanical and electrical stimulation patterns to individual cells in vitro. Co-integrated 3DTCMSs have the necessary infrastructure for long-term cell culturing. The platform is accessible for in situ high-resolution, real-time microscopic observation of essential molecular information due to transparent materials. Advanced two-photon polymerization photolithography will be utilized for the exact reconstruction of 3DTCMSs based on a novel optically transparent, conductive ionic liquid-polymer composite. ESC pluripotent factors and CM markers will be monitored comparatively by live microscopy and molecular analysis. This project aims to integrate expertise in materials science, engineering, cellular and molecular biology. As a result, a novel in vitro CM differentiation model will be developed, which has a potential to open a completely new window of research in systems biology.