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Liquid-liquid interfaces to mimic mesenchymal stem cell niches in the bone marrow

Both the mechanical properties of the environment and the interaction with cells in the niche play a pivotal role in the maintenance of stem cell properties. Hence, it is extremely complicated to control all the parameters regulating stemness in culture. However, mimicking the environmental cues of the bone marrow by using liquid-liquid interfaces presents a very promising approach to achieve long-term expansion of MSCs while retaining stem cell properties. This project aims to explore the mechanisms regulating MSCs adhesion and in liquid-liquid interfaces at the molecular and cellular level. Particularly,  we will characterise how the stem cell phenotype is modulated by the interaction with nanoscale features and the interplay of MSCs with other cell types in the bone marrow.

Interests: Reading, travelling, cooking and oil painting.