The Synthetic Biology Approach to Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

Rising influence of synthetic biology in regenerative medicine

“…Such challenges include (i) the need for intercellular communication and spatiotemporal coordination within three‐dimensional tissue‐engineered constructs [38, 39]; (ii) the limited proliferative capability and plasticity of adult stem cells and the need to achieve adequate cell numbers for therapeutic applications through extensive in vitro expansion [40, 41]; (iii) the nonspecific pleiotropic effects of cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and growth factors on lineage fate determination and cellular differentiation [42]; and finally (iv) the safety issues associated with the genetic modification of human stem cells and the use of viral vectors and recombinant DNA [43]. These clinical challenges have also been critically examined in detail elsewhere [37].…”

“…Traditional methods in regenerative medicine have relied on utilising the natural, evolved behaviour of human cells, thereby supporting and stimulating the body's own self-healing capability. When combined with synthetic biology, the potential to improve our ability to help those in clinical need greatly increases [36] and novel solutions are presented to help combat several of the challenges currently faced within the field [37].…”