Gelatin Scaffolds Combined with DNA Delivery System for Stem Cell Expansion

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Given the advantages of self renewal and multi-differentiation functions, MSCs is a potent target for tissue engineering. The topic, how to ex vivo expand the MSCs for further therapeutic applications, has attracted the attention. Biodegradable microcarriers can be used to expand the MSCs in vitro by the suspended culture technique like spinner flask or bioreactor. The expanded MSCs on the microcarriers can be applied to the patients by direct injection. But how to transfer the growth factor or hormone into MSCs in the microcarriers is a key issue for the in vitro expansion of MSCs. Lipid-based delivery system, composed of an oil phase, an aqueous phase, and surfactants, can be applied to gene delivery. This project aims to develop the lipid-based plasmid delivery system and biodegradable microcarriers to expand the MSCs ex vivo and investigate their proliferation and differentiation potentials.

Project ID:PB9808-2386
External Project ID:NSC98-2221-E182-013