Biomaterials Get Stem Cells to Commit to a Bony Future (2 of 2) (IMAGE)

University of California - San Diego

Biomaterials Get Stem Cells to Commit to a Bony Future (2 of 2)

Caption

Image of three human mesenchymal stem cells. The ATP in the cells is glowing green. The phosphate from the biomaterial (calcium phosphate) that is taken up by the cells is used to make more ATP, which is traditionally the source of energy for the cells. In this case, however, ATP can be converted to adenosine which promotes the human mesenchymal stem cells to be turned into bone cells.

This image illustrates some of the work pursued by an international team of researchers led by bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego. The researchers discovered exactly how calcium phosphate can coax stem cells to become bone-building cells. This work is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of Jan. 6, 2014.

Credit

UC San Diego Department of Bioengineering

Usage Restrictions

Please credit: UC San Diego Department of Bioengineering

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.