Cartilage tissue engineering using human fetal stem cells derived from amniotic fluid
Date de publication :
03 octobre 2024Taux d'activité :
100%- Lieu de travail :Schweiz - Zürich & Schaffhausen
Master Project (100 %):
Cartilage tissue engineering using human fetal stem cells derived from amniotic fluid
Background:
Spina bifida is characterized by incomplete closure of the lumbosacral neural tube (failure of neurulation) during the first weeks of pregnancy. Consequently, the spinal cord remains open leading to a devastating congenital malformation causing irreversible and life-long disabilities in affected children.
Therefore, the main goal of this basic research project is to tissue-engineer autologous fetal cartilage composite grafts to close the open spinal cord. For the development of such a quite complex composite graft we are using human pluripotent stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid samples. Following the appropriate differentiation into cartilage-forming cells, these cells will be incorporated into appropriate 3D scaffolds in order to develop and cartilage grafts. The ultimate aim of our research is to develop a “personalized” physiological cartilage constructs that could potentially revolutionize the prenatal surgical care for the closure of spina bifida defects in the future. We hypothesize that the transplantation of out issue-engineered cartilage grafts would significantly increase the stability of the vertebral column and better protect the spinal cord.
Objective:
To develop a human 3D cartilage graft in vitro that mimics the microenvironmental and cellular complexity of human articular cartilage.
Methods:
The project aims to develop 3D in vitro cartilage constructs using human primary fetal stem cells from amniotic fluid. First, those cells will be chondrogenically differentiated within a 3D scaffold in vitro using specific media. Furthermore, the generated cartilage constructs will be characterized using state-of-the-art biochemical and molecular techniques.
Hypothesis:
The proposed tissue-engineered method will allow generation of cartilage grafts closely mimicking the physiological tissue arrangement.
Your responsibilities:
- Establishing a 3D culture conditions for fetal stem cells derived from amniotic fluid (AFSC).
- Chondrogenic differentiation of AFS in 3D scaffolds in vitro.
- Characterization of cell viability and chondrogenic differentiation states in vitro.
- Immunofluorescence staining of 3D cartilage grafts for confocal microscopy.
- Performing histochemical in vitro assays for ECM deposition like Alcian blue and Safranin-O staining.
- Analysis of specific markers on gene transcript and protein level of chondrogenic differentiation in vitro.
- Applying statistical analysis, interpreting results and presenting data.
- Supervised planning and writing of final report.
Your profile: Interested and motivated student. Background in life sciences.
We offer a varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment. Place of work :University of Zurich, Schlieren Campus, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
Earliest start: as of now, duration of Master thesis: 6-9 months. For further information and applications, please contact.
Dr. Katarzyna Micka
E-Mail schreiben