What are stem cells? The term “stem cell” generally indicates a non-specialized cell, capable of differentiating itself by specializing in one of the many different cell types present in our body (i.e. a neuron, a white blood cell or a skin cell). Stem cells are classified based on their ability to differentiate into cells that...
The CRISPR/Cas9 system allows a precise region of DNA to be modified quickly and cheaply and has captured the attention of the entire biotechnological community due to its versatility and its countless applications. However, the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 opens up many new questions of a bioethical nature. From natural immune mechanism to powerful biotechnological...
WHAT IS AN ORGANOID? Structurally less complex than an organ, but definitely more representative of a cluster of cells arranged on a laboratory plate. Organoids can be defined as aggregates of cells that spontaneously take on a precise three-dimensional conformation, ending up resembling miniature organs. The ability of these cells to organize and...
The cultivation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells from laboratory to industrial scale can take place in simple systems represented by flasks or in more complex and accurate systems represented by fermenters or bioreactors, but for both systems the chemical conditions for cell growth are highly variable and dependent on the type of culture. The fermentation...
The “nichoid” is a novel cell substrate inspired by the natural stem cells’ niche. This polymer-engineered scaffold is composed of three-dimensional (3D) grids composed of horizontal and vertical rods that perfectly recreate the natural stem cell niche, ensuring at the same time good optical accessibility. Early studies on nichoids as cell scaffold have obtained promising...
