An experimental protocol is being designed to induce embryonic stem cells (ESCs)

Question

An experimental protocol is being designed to induce embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to differentiate into epidermal keratinocytes. Part of the protocol involves growing the ESCs on different extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates, namely type IV collagen, laminin and type I collagen, to determine how exposure to different ECM substrates affects ESC differentiation to keratinocytes.

a) Give two reasons why these three ECM substrates were selected.

b) Briefly describe an experiment that would determine how efficiently the ESCs adhered to the different ECM substrates.

c) How would you test if any ESCs had differentiated into keratinocytes?

Explanation / Answer

a) Type IV collagen and laminin are components of the epidermal basement membrane to which basal keratinocytes are normally exposed Type I collagen is a common ECM protein.

b) From the adhesion practical

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.