Substrates and surfaces for control of pluripotent stem cell fate and function

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide unique opportunities for understanding basic biology, for developing tissue models for drug testing, and for clinical applications in regenerative medicine. These require the development of robust platforms and protocols for maintenance of their self-renewal as well as for differentiation to a specific cell fate. Cell fate and functions are influenced by components of the surrounding microenvironment, including soluble factors, extracellular matrix (ECM), cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and mechanical forces. Various culture substrates and surfaces based on feeder cells, decellularized matrices, ECM proteins, and cell adhesion molecules have been reported, with profound effects on proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. Synthetic substrates, based on peptides and polymers, have also emerged as alternative platforms to provide a chemically defined and xeno-free culture system for expansion and long-term maintenance of stem cells. These advances in surface engineering will continue to grow and guide the development of processes for stem cell application