• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2010

Researches for stem cells have been focused on scientists in biomedical sciences as well as clinical application for its great therapeutic potentials. Stem cells have two distinct characteristics: self-renewal and differentiation. In this short review, the links between stem cell research and biomedical engineering is discussed based on the basic characteristics of stem cells. This concept can be extended to the fundamental questions of biological sciences for cells such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and migration. For understanding proliferation and apoptosis of stem cells, techniques from biomedical engineering such as surface patterning, MEMS, nanotechnologies have been used. The advanced technologies such as microfluidic technologies, three dimensional scaffold fabrication, and mechanical/electrical stimulation have also been used in cell differentiation and migration. Basic and unsolved questions in the stem cell research field have limitations by studying conventional technologies. Therefore, the strategic fusion between stem cell biology and novel biomedical engineering field will break the barriers for understanding fundamental questions of stem cells, which can open the window for the clinical applications of stem cell based therapeutics as well as regeneration of damaged tissues.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2002

Recently, stem cell-mediated gene therapy is emerging as a novel therapeutic approach. For the successful gene modification of stem cells, the development of a suitable gene transfer technique needs to be preceded. This review focuses on the various gene transfer techniques based on nonviral and viral vectors, and physical methods. The advantages and disadvantages of each gene transfer method are compared, and the general properties of these vectors are discussed in relation to the gene transfer in stem cell research. This review also highlights the therapeutic application of stem cell-mediated gene therapy. The choice of gene transfer vectors may vary depending on the type of the stem cells and the target of stem cell therapy. Of various gene transfer methods, viral vector-based gene therapy has been emphasized due to the higher transfection efficiency. The current status and up-to-date findings of stem cell-mediated gene therapy are discussed in the viewpoint of the various targets of stem cell therapy such as the modification of stem cell potency, the acceleration of regeneration process and the formation of expressional organization.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.2789-2800
• /
• 2013

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether stem cells could be effectively applied in targeted therapy of breast cancer. Material and Method: A systematic literature search was performed for original articles published from January 2007 until May 2012. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for phase I or II clinical trials, of which three used stem cells as vehicles, two trials used autologous hematopoetic stem cells and in four trials cancer stem cells were targeted. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were applied as cellular vehicles to transfer therapeutic agents. Cell therapy with MSC can successfully target resistant cancers. Cancer stem cells were selectively targeted via a proteasome-dependent suicide gene leading to tumor regression. $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway has been also evidenced to be an attractive CSC-target. Conclusions: This systematic review focused on two different concepts of stem cells and breast cancer marking a turning point in the trials that applied stem cells as cellular vehicles for targeted delivery therapy as well as CSC-targeted therapies. Applying stem cells as targeted therapy could be an effective therapeutic approach for treatment of breast cancer in the clinic and in therapeutic marketing; however this needs to be confirmed with further clinical investigations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2006.05a
• /
• pp.179-180
• /
• 2006

In this study, the effect of stem-end design on contact pressure and stress distribution in revision TKR was investigated using finite element method. The finite element model of tibia, including the cortical bone, the cancellous bone and canal, was developed based on CT images. The stem models with various stem lengths, diameters and frictional coefficients, and press-fit effects were considered. The results showed that the longer stem length, the stronger press-fit, the bigger stem diameter, and the higher frictional coefficient increased both peak contact pressure and the highest Von-Mises stress values. We hypothesized that peak contact pressure and Von-Mises stress distribution around the stem, may be related to the stem end pain. The results of this study will be useful to design the stem endand reduce the end-of-stem pain in revision TKR.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2003.12a
• /
• pp.154-155
• /
• 2003

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.65-70
• /
• 2004

In mammals, male and female germline stem cells are derived from primodial germ cells. Despite many efforts to identify stem cells from gonads, there has been little successe to identify germline stem cells yet. In this study, we isolate and characterized porcine germline stem cells using only stem cell markers that are prevalently expressed in various tissues. Gonadal cells derived from both male and female formed colonies and showed AP activities and different lectin binding properties. Pluripotency of germline stem cells was also identified by positive signals against putative stem cells markers such as SSEA-1 and SSEA-3. In addition, nestin was also found in primary gonad cells that have a similar morphology to the AP-positive cells. The nestin expression suggests that the germline stem cells may have similar expression of the prevalent stem cell markers found in other tissues. The demonstration of nestin expression together with pluripotent cell markers calls further investigation of the possible differentiation of nestin-positive cells into neurons.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.295-303
• /
• 2019

Breakthroughs in stem cell technology have contributed to disease modeling and drug screening via organoid technology. Organoid are defined as three-dimensional cellular aggregations derived from adult tissues or stem cells. They recapitulate the intricate pattern and functionality of the original tissue. Insulin is secreted mainly by the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells. Large-scale production of insulin-secreting ${\beta}$ cells is crucial for diabetes therapy. Here, we provide a brief overview of organoids and focus on recent advances in protocols for the generation of pancreatic islet organoids from pancreatic tissue or pluripotent stem cells for insulin secretion. The feasibility and limitations of organoid cultures derived from stem cells for insulin production will be described. As the pancreas and gut share the same embryological origin and produce insulin, we will also discuss the possible application of gut organoids for diabetes therapy. Better understanding of the challenges associated with the current protocols for organoid culture facilitates development of scalable organoid cultures for applications in biomedicine.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.666-675
• /
• 2013

Background Stem cells are a unique cell population characterized by self-renewal and cellular differentiation capabilities. These characteristics, among other traits, make them an attractive option for regenerative treatments of tissues defects and for aesthetic procedures in plastic surgery. As research regarding the isolation, culture and behavior of stem cells has progressed, stem cells, particularly adult stem cells, have shown promising results in both translational and clinical applications. Methods The purpose of this review is to evaluate the applications of stem cells in the plastic surgery literature, with particular focus on the advances and limitations of current stem cell therapies. Different key areas amenable to stem cell therapy are addressed in the literature review; these include regeneration of soft tissue, bone, cartilage, and peripheral nerves, as well as wound healing and skin aging. Results The reviewed studies demonstrate promising results, with favorable outcomes and minimal complications in the cited cases. In particular, adipose tissue derived stem cell (ADSC) transplants appear to provide effective treatment options for bony and soft tissue defects, and non-healing wounds. ADSCs have also been shown to be useful in aesthetic surgery. Conclusions Further studies involving both the basic and clinical science aspects of stem cell therapies are warranted. In particular, the mechanism of action of stem cells, their interactions with the surrounding microenvironment and their long-term fate require further elucidation. Larger randomized trials are also necessary to demonstrate the continued safety of transplanted stem cells as well as the efficacy of cellular therapies in comparison to the current standards of care.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.406-419
• /
• 2011

This study was carried out to offer basic information on the wood anatomy of domestic yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), a new plantation species selected by Korea Forest Service as one of the promising hardwood and bioenergy sources of the future, through comparison of stem wood with root wood in the qualitative and quantitative features. In the qualitative anatomical features, growth rings were distinct in stem wood but relatively less distinct in root wood. And stem wood appeared to have pores in radial multiples of 2 to 5, sometimes clusters but root wood to have pores in radial multiples of 2 to 3, rarely clusters. And numbers of bars in scalariform perforation plates were somewhat numerous in vessel elements of root wood than in those of stem wood. Interestingly, on the other hand, more extraneous materials in the wood rays of tap root than in those of lateral root and stem were confirmed in the chemical composition analyses. In the quantitative anatomical features, pore densities were significantly greater but vessel elements were considerably narrower in stem wood than in root wood. Vessel elements and wood fibers of root wood were considerably longer than those of stem wood. Rays were somewhat more numerous in stem wood than in root wood, and only ray heights of stem wood were more or less greater in cell numbers but both ray heights and widths of stem wood were lower in dimension than those of root wood. The anatomical differences between stem wood and root wood were thought to be associated with different growth environments between the stem above ground and the root below ground.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.132-136
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to study the effect of emergence type of multiple stem and main bud on the quality of fresh and red ginseng in Korean ginseng. To achieve the aim of this study, characteristics of roots and quality factors were investigated. Single stem plants were 62.9% of the total samples, and the remainder(37.1%) were multiple stem plants. The number of stems affected considerably on root weight. Root weight of triple stem type with triple main bud was the largest among the types. As the number of stem per plant increased, the root quality became worse. In both single and multiple stem, the more the number of main buds was, the lower the quality grade was. Yield of the red ginseng was about 30%, showing little difference between single stem and multiple stem plant. As the number of stem increased, yield of Bonsam decreased. The quality grade of red ginseng of single stem was better than that of multiple stem. Multiple stem plant produced relatively more Yangsam and Japsam. As the number of main bud increased, the quality grade of ginseng decreased.