SURFStem

The lack of effective, reproducible, animal-free hESC (human embryonic stem cells) and iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) culture methods, amenable to scale up presents a serious challenge to progression of new novel therapies into the clinical testing arena. It is furthermore critical for the development of robust reproducible in vitro cell based toxicology assay systems important to the development of new drugs. Thus, there is a growing need for cell culture technologies to support the specific needs of human ESC and iPSC cultures.
Modification of surface materials with bioactive molecules for stimulated cell adhesion and growth has been investigated and reported with numerous findings in the fields of stem cell -and materials science. However as the needed signals for cells is a result of a variety of stimulations, optimal and robust coating technologies for incorporating such signals has not been identified.
The SURFStem Consortium partners have identified a unique future market opportunity for creating an new combined cultivation and factor release technology for the functionalization of stem cell culture processes.
This combinatorial technology will bring several commercially attractive products on the market that;
1) will lead to optimized stem cell culture technologies that are able to support robust culture of various stem cell types.
2) improve standardization of stem cell culturing processes - which is especially important in the growing field that relates to GMP regulated expansion of stem cells for clinical trials.
3) reduce the cost of stem cell culture for the end user.