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Stem cells are defined by their unique capability for both self-renewal and for differentiation into a variety of mature cell types.  The combination of these properties has captured the imagination of the biomedical research community, leading to the rapidly evolving field of “regenerative medicine”, which focuses on the concept of isolating stem cells, expanding and controlling their differentiation in culture, and using the resulting cells or tissues to restore function or to repair tissues damaged by disease.  Our lab is particularly interested in using adult stem cells for vascular repair and regeneration.  One major advantage of applying adult stem cells for tissue engineering applications is the potential to avoid an immune response, since the tissue engineered construct could be derived from the patient’s own stem cells.  The normal human body does minor repairs on its own arteries using a type of stem cell known as “endothelial progenitor cells”; however, major cardiovascular injuries such as heart attacks apparently overcome the limits of self-repair.  When a trip to Home Depot is not enough, you have to call the plumber!  Therefore, our lab is looking at ways to culture and expand endothelial progenitor cells for use in treatment of cardiovascular disease, in the hopes of extending and improving the body’s own process of self-repair. 

Human CD34+ stem cells adhering to chemically-modified surfaces may differentiate to

more specialized cell types under appropriate conditions.