Generating multi-component scaffolding to influence the differentiation of embryonic stem cells

We will engineer a range of sophisticated nanostructured scaffolds, interfacing them with stem cells (i.e. cells that can give rise to any fetal or adult cell type), to provide unique approaches to improve differentiation and connectivity of neurons for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The novelty of this proposal lies in our ability to exploit self-assembling peptide scaffolds to not only influence cells through their peptide motifs and structural properties, but also to deliver soluble trophic factors via diffusion, and more importantly, to space out short nanofibers that have been functionalised with neurotrophins (proteins that induce the survival, development and function of neurons) to present protein gradients.