About our technology
Much attention is being devoted to the potential uses of stem cells in human biology and medicine. Many of these wide-ranging applications for stem cell technology are based on the assumption that it will be possible to direct the differentiation of cultured stem cells and produce specific cell and tissue types on demand.
However, scientists are still only at the beginning of being able to control and exploit the full developmental potential of stem cells. For example, it is proving difficult to duplicate the extent of cell differentiation demonstrated by human embryonic stem cells following transplantation (Przyborski, 2005).
Our inability to achieve this level of cellular development in culture is partly due to our limited capability to control the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell development. It is also partly because the environment in which cells grow and differentiate in the culture dish is far removed from the complex three dimensional surroundings and interactions with adjacent tissues, which cells experience during growth in the body.
ReInnervate specialises in the development of enabling technologies to help address these issues. Our technologies will facilitate research into cell growth and function in vitro, particularly in the field of stem cell biology. The Company has three primary areas of interest:
- Development of more favourable growth conditions for cells in vitro;
- Design and synthesis of molecules that control cell differentiation;
- Development of new strategies to follow the differentiation of cells.
Aspects of the Company’s research programme are also suitable for development into diagnostic tools and have potential therapeutic applications.