Stem cells are being broadly explored for their potential for tissue regeneration.  However, basic knowledge of the signaling mechanisms that control stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is currently incomplete, which limits our understanding of their role in adult function and complicates efforts to precisely control stem cell behavior for regenerative medicine applications. We will discuss two approaches to investigate and control cellular function � optogenetics, and the use of synthetic multivalent ligands.  The first approach � optogenetics � uses light to control cellular function.  We will discuss how light can be used to channel signals into defined intracellular signaling pathways.  The second approaches uses multivalency � the simultaneous binding of multiple ligands on one biological entity to multiple receptors on another.  We will discuss the use of synthetic multivalent ligands to control the clustering of stem cell receptors as well as stem cell fate.  We will also describe attempts to design more defined scaffolds for controlling the nanoscale organization of cellular receptors.

Developing approaches to control stem cell fate using optogenetics and multivalency

247th National Meeting (2014)

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