The Effect of Artificial Microenvironments on the Regenerative and Differentiation Properties of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) possess remarkable capabilities of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types, offering immense potential for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery. However, maintaining their stability and controlling differentiation ex vivo remain major challenges. Recent advances in bioengineering have enabled the development of artificial microenvironments, such as hydrogels and nanoscaffolds, which mimic the native cellular niche and provide mechanical and biochemical cues to direct cell behavior. This study aims to investigate the effects of such artificial microenvironments on the regenerative capacity, lineage-specific differentiation, and genomic stability of hPSCs Understanding these interactions is critical for enhancing the safety and efficacy of stem cell- based therapies and advancing applications in tissue engineering and precision medicine.