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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Mouse Epidermal Neural Crest Stem Cell EPI-NCSC Cultures
Published on: May 9, 2008
Dynamic Culture Substrates That Mimic the Topography of the Epidermal-Dermal Junction
Ayelen L Helling1, Priyalakshmi Viswanathan1, Katerina S Cheliotis1
11 Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Impact Statement:
In human skin the junction between the epidermis and dermis undulates. Epidermal stem cells pattern according to their position relative to those undulations. Here we describe a rig in which epidermal cells are cultured on a collagen-coated poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) membrane. When a vacuum is applied the membrane is induced to undulate. Stem cells cluster in response to the vacuum, whereas differentiating cells do not. Rho kinase inhibition results in loss of clustering, suggesting a role for Rho family members in the process. This dynamic platform is a new tool for investigating changes in the skin with age and disease.
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