Quinton Smith, Ph.D.*
Postdoctoral Fellow
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT

"Stem Cell Fate is a Touchy Subject"

Abstract:
Physical cues are crucial to embryonic development, morphogenic events, and tissue organization, but methods to differentiate cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) mainly rely on chemical cues.  As such, the role of substrate stiffness, fluid shear stress, and confinement were interrogated on stem cell derived endothelial cell differentiation efficiency and functionality. We find priming hiPSCs on compliant substrates, as opposed to traditionally used rigid plastic surfaces, promotes efficient endothelial specification in the absence of growth factor supplementation.  Leveraging micropatterned domains, which restrict extracellular matrix accessibility, also enhances endothelial specification and early lineage organization. Finally, using a microfluidic platform, we find that primary cilia, a microtubule-based mechanosensor, is crucial to stem cell derived endothelial shear response. Collectively, we can investigate the role of biophysical stimuli on cell fate and function using a variety of engineering tools.

Bio:
Quinton Smith received his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2017 after completing his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Mexico.  As a graduate student under the guidance of Dr. Sharon Gerecht, he implemented various tools to explore the roles of physical and chemical stimuli on stem cell lineage specification and downstream vascular maturation.  Dr. Smith is currently a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research.  Here, he is investigating the role of the biliary epithelium in liver regeneration. Dr. Smith’s predoctoral work was supported by an NIH/NHLBI F-31 and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. He is a recipient of the 2017 Siebel Scholar award and joined the class of 2018 HHMI Hanna Gray Fellows.

Host: Sakis Mantalaris

Thursday, February 6
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Emory HSRB bldg, E160
Video Conference: Whitaker 3115

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