| Popis: |
Traditional two-dimensional culture systems suffer from inherent limitations that motivate the need to develop three-dimensional (3D) platforms for stem cell culture to provide greater insights into in vivo function and enable advanced applications, such as tissue-engineered constructs, biomanufacturing approaches, and platforms for drug discovery and toxicity testing. Hydrogels, which are hydrated polymer networks, share many key physical properties with native tissues and can be designed to include elements to control cell fate and function. This chapter will discuss hydrogel design criteria, including source material, degradation, topography, matrix mechanics, adhesion, and growth factor presentation, in the context of 3D stem cell culture. Additionally, approaches for the manufacture and assessment of stem cell–hydrogel constructs will provide a guide to expand the utilization of biofunctional hydrogel systems. |
