Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Ejhc3gnADLc

 

Stem cells are the precursors for all cells in our bodies.  Australian researchers announce the development of a microfluidic blood stem cell incubator.  The system on a plexiglass block mimics the pulsatile circulation of the embryo that is a key factor in driving the generation of blood stem cells.  It seems that general stem cells recognize pulsing and shear forces as signals that they should differentiate into blood cells.   The plan is to upscale this microfluidic system to generate large supplies of hematologist stem cells needed by those on chemotherapy whose own populations  of red and white cells have been depleted.

 

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(22)01167-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2211124722011676%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

 

#stemcells #microfluidics #chemotherapy