The results are starting to come in. Since starting about eight weeks ago, I have been devoting my time to testing the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into bone cells. This has been an active area of research for many years, but I am currently repeating previous tests using the specific cells we have from the specific patient, the specific surgery, etc. This will tell me if our stem cells really do what the papers say they should do. After this phase, I will start the new testing on the novel scaffold materials from London.
One major test I have been doing is to qualitatively detect levels of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme produced by all cells at low, "baseline" levels. Bone cells, however, produce very high amounts, as it is the molecule that initiates the formation of bone. After supplementing the cells with inducer chemicals, leaving the cells for about two weeks, and performing a protein-specific staining technique, we found that our stem cells "passed" and did in fact become bone cells.
Flattened, oblong mesenchymal stem cells without bone cell inducers. Only a small, baseline level of alkaline phosphatase (blue) is present.
Mesenchymal stem cells with inducers. At this point, the cells can actually be called real bone cells or "osteoblasts." A very high level of alkaline phosphatase is present.
Next, I will work on a similar test that will provide numerical values of this protein--the definitive test that will let me know if I can use these cells on the scaffolds and expect good results.
The bulk of my project—growing the stem cells on the scaffolds, tracking their differentiation to bone cells and subsequent production of real bone—will be starting in just a few weeks. Let's hope all will go well!
Harrison