Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Stem Cell Niche

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Identifying and reprogramming softness-driven cancer stem-like cells overcomes CAR-T cell resistance in solid tumours.

Nature biomedical engineering·2026

Same author

Primer PICKR: literature-mined scoring platform for robust RT-qPCR primers.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Stiffness-mediated paracrine signaling enhances induction of EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

APL bioengineering·2025

Same author

Durotaxis is a driver and potential therapeutic target in lung fibrosis and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Nature cell biology·2025

Same author

Trionic All-optical Biological Voltage Sensing via Quantum Statistics.

Nature photonics·2025

Same author

Applying physical principles to cancer research.

APL bioengineering·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Generation of Multicue Cellular Microenvironments by UV-Photopatterning of Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Substrates

Generation of Multicue Cellular Microenvironments by UV-Photopatterning of Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Substrates

Published on: June 2, 2022

3D surface topology guides stem cell adhesion and differentiation.

Priyalakshmi Viswanathan¹, Matthew G Ondeck², Somyot Chirasatitsin³

¹Krebs Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; Department of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.

|March 31, 2015

Summary

Polymerized high internal phase emulsion (polyHIPE) foams offer tunable 3D scaffolds. Cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation depend on surface topology and chemistry, not porosity, guiding stem cell behavior.

Keywords:

Cell signaling Osteogenesis Stem cell Surface topology

More Related Videos

Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics

Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics

Published on: September 28, 2019

Automated Robotic Dispensing Technique for Surface Guidance and Bioprinting of Cells

Automated Robotic Dispensing Technique for Surface Guidance and Bioprinting of Cells

Published on: November 18, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Generation of Multicue Cellular Microenvironments by UV-Photopatterning of Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Substrates

Generation of Multicue Cellular Microenvironments by UV-Photopatterning of Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Substrates

Published on: June 2, 2022

Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics

Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics

Published on: September 28, 2019

Automated Robotic Dispensing Technique for Surface Guidance and Bioprinting of Cells

Automated Robotic Dispensing Technique for Surface Guidance and Bioprinting of Cells

Published on: November 18, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Tissue Engineering
Cell Biology

Background:

Polymerized high internal phase emulsion (polyHIPE) foams are versatile in vitro models for cell-substrate interactions.
Foam morphology (open/closed pores, connectivity) can be controlled, allowing 2D/3D comparisons with consistent surface chemistry.
Amphiphilic block copolymers enable control over pore surface topology, influencing ligand clustering.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how polyHIPE foam properties influence human mesenchymal progenitor (hES-MP) cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation.
To determine the role of pore structure, surface chemistry, and surface topology in regulating cell behavior.
To explore the potential of 3D scaffold design in controlling stem cell fate without soluble growth factors.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of polyHIPE foams with controlled porosity, interconnectivity, and surface topology using emulsion polymerization.
Culture of hES-MP cells on polyHIPE foams with varying characteristics.
Assessment of cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation.
Analysis of the relationship between foam architecture and cell behavior.

Main Results:

hES-MP cell adhesion was dependent on foam surface topology and chemistry, but not porosity or interconnectivity.
Foam interconnectivity, architecture, and surface topology significantly affected osteogenic differentiation potential.
Adhesive heterogeneity within the 3D scaffold plays a crucial role in regulating cell attachment and behavior.

Conclusions:

PolyHIPE foams provide tunable 3D scaffolds for studying cell-matrix interactions.
Surface topology and chemistry are key regulators of mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and differentiation in 3D environments.
Designing 3D scaffolds with controlled adhesive heterogeneity can guide stem cell behavior independently of soluble factors.