The research team of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) invented a medical device with a specific nanotechnology layer for the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro.
It will reduce the risk of carcinogenesis or inflammation in stem cell therapy, a treatment that offers hope of a cure for incurable diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, chronic systemic diseases and degenerative joint diseases.
The layer of nanostructure of this new invention is made of biocompatible materials, and avoids the use of additional growth factor or other biochemical for cultivating cells.
The mature cell can turn into a therapeutic agent for stem cell therapy, after growth and cell differentiation.
The novel matrix enables scientists to cultivate NSCs by adopting the usual method, however with the added advantage of organic compounds (like Polylysine and Polyornithine) being excluded from the process.
It thereby reduces the potential risk of carcinogenesis or inflammation in stem cell therapy. It could provide a safe platform for research into stem cell therapies using the latest, novel nanotechnology, and also help boost the development of regenerative medicine.
The team has established Mat-A-Cell Limited with the aim of providing an advanced device to research institutions and companies that develop cell therapy.
