Stickiness Helps Sort Stem Cells

Information about how strongly different cells stick to surfaces has allowed researchers to develop a faster, more efficient way of isolating human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The method uses a microfluidic device to which cells, including human iPS cells, adhere well. When a cell culture attached to the device is exposed to the flow of a fluid, the iPS cells hang on while others are swept away. The technique results in a greater than 95 percent pure human iPS cell culture. The researchers predict that the method could be scaled up, thereby speeding progress toward potential stem cell-based therapies.
Source: NIGMS Biomedical Beat - Category: Research Source Type: news