Grant: Collaborative Health Research Projects (NSERC partnered)

Efficient expansion and differentiation of stem cell cultures remains a bottleneck in the use of stem cells and their differentiated products in regenerative medicine. In order to support cell manufacturing and research, novel technologies must be developed to increase the performance of culture systems. In this project, we propose to overcome this bottleneck by developing systems for integrated real-time monitoring of cultures and automated bioprocess control. To achieve this goal, we have assembled a unique team of researchers with expertise in development of ultrasensitive multi-analyte chip-based sensors, stem cell biology, engineering, and chemistry. This team will develop technologies for precision control of stem cell production. The aims of this project will create individual technologies of significant value for advanced regenerative medicine therapies, and will also integrate methods that will provide even more powerful solutions for molecular-level control of therapeutic cell types.