Cell Expansion Platform

Patent Status

Patent Pending

Brief Description

Systems for activating and expanding cell populations are useful for several applications. For example, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are useful for tissue engineering, B cells for antibody production, non-mammalian cells for small molecule production and immune cells for re-infusion via adoptive immunotherapy. A current manufacturing bottleneck is the safe and rapid proliferation of cells. Accordingly, new compositions and methods to expand target cell populations are needed.

UC Berkeley researchers have developed a platform for the expansion and proliferation of cells by using a 2D hydrogel scaffold with tunable mechanics and incorporated streptavidin moieties. The system was validated by expanding human T cells and showed T cell expansion 41% and 70% greater than the current clinical standard. This greater fold expansion was preceded by increased metabolic and proliferation-related transcriptional activity.

Suggested uses

• Expansion of cells, possibly for immunotherapy (e.g., T cell, CAR T Cell, NK Cell, iPSCs)
• Delivery of biotinylated proteins, drugs, small molecules, nucleic acids
• Isolation of labelled molecules or cells
• Sensing (biotinylated molecules or labelled molecules could be sensed)