The Development of an Artificial 3D Stem Cell Niche

Stem cells need context-based integrity and a particular environment called the stem cell niche to maintain an organism and survive, as they are not single players. The stem cell niche can be found in any tissue or organ in addition to the bone marrow and can support regeneration by providing a stem cell reserve under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. The stem cells that provide a stem cell reserve originate either from the bone marrow and enter the niche via the circulation or are localized in the stem cell niche of the respective tissue or organ. This project provides major contributions to (1) elucidate molecular pathways of stem cell-mediated regeneration under physiological or pathophysiological conditions to counteract degeneration, to (2) develop knowledge on the molecular mechanism of stem cell programming towards lineage specific precursors with the elucidation of the relevant biomolecules, as well as to (3) define biophysical stimuli that determine integrity of the stem cell niche. Stem cell research and the development of new processes and methods for a context-based investigation of the 3D stem cell niche are key technologies of the CEM.

Funding: Country of Lower Austria, EFRE