Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

5.9K
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...
5.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

4D direct ink writing of body temperature-responsive triple-shape memory scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Biofabrication·2026
Same author

The dual-faced pyruvate kinase M2 in tumors: From cytoplasmic metabolic gatekeeper to nuclear transcriptional coactivator.

Biochemical pharmacology·2026
Same author

The relationship between nutritional management and prognosis in children on prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition·2026
Same author

Pathology-Informed Personalized Exoskeleton Assistance for Post-Stroke Gait Rehabilitation via Simulation-to-Real Reinforcement Learning.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Genome-wide identification of NRAMP gene family in Brassica U's triangle species and its response to Cadmium stress in B. napus.

BMC plant biology·2026
Same author

Osteopontin-loaded nanoarchaeosomes for enhanced osteogenesis and bone regeneration in osteoporotic zebrafish models.

Nanoscale·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Distinctive Capillary Action by Micro-channels in Bone-like Templates can Enhance Recruitment of Cells for Restoration of Large Bony Defect
09:35

Distinctive Capillary Action by Micro-channels in Bone-like Templates can Enhance Recruitment of Cells for Restoration of Large Bony Defect

Published on: September 11, 2015

10.0K

Nature-inspired topographies on hydroxyapatite surfaces regulate stem cells behaviour.

Yogambha Ramaswamy1,2, Iman Roohani3, Young Jung No1,2

  • 1Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Unit, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Bioactive Materials
|October 26, 2020
PubMed
Summary

This study explores how the shape of a material's surface affects the behavior of stem cells. Researchers created surfaces with patterns inspired by nature, such as pillars and islands, using a new fabrication method. They found that certain patterns, like isolated islands, helped stem cells develop into bone cells more effectively. In contrast, honeycomb patterns hindered cell growth and differentiation. The results suggest that designing surfaces with complex, asymmetrical shapes could improve the performance of materials used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Keywords:
BioceramicsBiomaterialsMicropatternScaffoldsStem cellTopographyhydroxyapatitestem cell behaviortissue engineering surfacesosteogenic differentiation

Frequently Asked Questions

More Related Videos

Fabrication of Gradient Nanopattern by Thermal Nanoimprinting Technique and Screening of the Response of Human Endothelial Colony-forming Cells
11:24

Fabrication of Gradient Nanopattern by Thermal Nanoimprinting Technique and Screening of the Response of Human Endothelial Colony-forming Cells

Published on: July 1, 2018

8.2K
Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics
10:04

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

Published on: September 28, 2019

8.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Distinctive Capillary Action by Micro-channels in Bone-like Templates can Enhance Recruitment of Cells for Restoration of Large Bony Defect
09:35

Distinctive Capillary Action by Micro-channels in Bone-like Templates can Enhance Recruitment of Cells for Restoration of Large Bony Defect

Published on: September 11, 2015

10.0K
Fabrication of Gradient Nanopattern by Thermal Nanoimprinting Technique and Screening of the Response of Human Endothelial Colony-forming Cells
11:24

Fabrication of Gradient Nanopattern by Thermal Nanoimprinting Technique and Screening of the Response of Human Endothelial Colony-forming Cells

Published on: July 1, 2018

8.2K
Patterning the Geometry of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies on Compliant Substrates to Control Tissue-Level Mechanics
10:04

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

Published on: September 28, 2019

8.7K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials in tissue engineering
  • Cell-material interactions in regenerative medicine

Background:

Current fabrication methods struggle to replicate the complex, non-symmetrical topographies found in natural biological environments. Prior research has shown that surface topography influences cell behavior, but most studies focus on symmetrical or simple patterns. No prior work had resolved how nature-inspired, asymmetrical topographies affect stem cell responses. This gap motivated the exploration of new fabrication techniques to mimic natural structures. The study aimed to address this limitation by developing a method to imprint complex, non-symmetrical topographies on bioceramics. The need for bioresponsive interfaces in tissue engineering remains unmet. Researchers sought to determine whether these novel topographies could influence stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The potential to improve bioceramic performance in regenerative medicine is a key motivation.

Purpose Of The Study:

The goal was to evaluate how nature-inspired topographies on hydroxyapatite surfaces influence stem cell behavior. The specific problem is the lack of methods to replicate complex natural topographies on bioceramics. The motivation is to develop surfaces that better mimic the extracellular matrix for tissue engineering. The study focused on adipose-derived stem cells as a model system. The researchers aimed to compare the biological performance of different topographies. They tested honeycomb, pillars, and isolated islands patterns. The objective was to determine which topographies promote cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation. The findings could inform the design of bioresponsive materials for regenerative medicine.

Main Methods:

The team used a microcasting technique to imprint topographies onto hydroxyapatite surfaces. The method allowed the creation of asymmetrical patterns such as pillars and isolated islands. Honeycomb structures were also fabricated for comparison. The surfaces were tested in vitro using adipose-derived stem cells. Cell behavior was assessed through stress fiber formation and focal adhesion protein expression. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured to evaluate osteogenic differentiation. Gene expression of key osteogenic markers was analyzed to confirm differentiation status. The control group used unmodified flat hydroxyapatite surfaces for comparison.

Main Results:

Isolated islands topographies significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. These surfaces showed increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to controls. Expression of osteogenic markers was upregulated on isolated islands surfaces. Cells on pillars and islands formed well-defined stress fibers and paxillin expression. Honeycomb topographies reduced cell proliferation and differentiation potential. Cells on honeycomb surfaces showed poor focal adhesion and stress fiber organization. The microcasting technique successfully replicated complex, non-symmetrical patterns. The results suggest that topography design strongly influences stem cell behavior.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrated that nature-inspired topographies on hydroxyapatite surfaces influence stem cell behavior. Isolated islands topographies promoted osteogenic differentiation more than other patterns. Honeycomb topographies hindered cell proliferation and differentiation. The microcasting technique offers a new approach for bioresponsive surface design. The findings suggest that topography shape affects focal adhesion and stress fiber formation. The results may guide future development of bioceramics for tissue engineering. The study supports the use of asymmetrical patterns to enhance cell-material interactions. The authors propose that this method could improve outcomes in regenerative medicine applications.

The study found that isolated islands topographies on hydroxyapatite surfaces significantly promote osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells.

The researchers used a microcasting technique to imprint nature-inspired topographies onto hydroxyapatite surfaces.

Honeycomb topographies hampered cell proliferation and differentiation, suggesting they may not support optimal cell behavior.

Alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of osteogenic markers were measured to evaluate differentiation status.

Stress fiber formation indicates cell adhesion and spreading, which are essential for proper cell function and differentiation.

The findings suggest that asymmetrical topographies can be used to design bioresponsive surfaces for regenerative medicine applications.