As Turn explores new therapies, we have found the use of quiescent stem cells can significantly help to repair or replace specific types of damaged tissue. But great care is needed to preserve the quiescence of these stem cells to ensure they remain poised in anticipation of activation, proliferation and differentiation.

In these cases, we deploy Turn’s own Artificial Niche (AN) technology to protect the stem cells. AN technology combines stem cell biology with biomolecular materials engineering and microfabrication technologies to generate novel cell culture platforms that mimic crucial biochemical or structural aspects of the niche.

We have found that muscle stem cells (MuSCs) maintained in an AN microenvironment show enhanced potential for engraftment, tissue regeneration and self-renewal after transplantation.

When AN is deployed in combination with our ERA technology in aged murine models to restore aged stem cells, we see increased potency and our studies show that aged MuSCs treated with a combination therapy, fully regenerate age-related muscle dysfunctions (such as muscle weakness), similarly to MuSCs transplanted from young donors.

Our approach for maintaining quiescence may also be applicable to stem cells isolated from other tissues. The most promising candidates are tissues where quiescence is a necessary condition to maintain stem cell functions, such as the hematopoietic, liver, brain compartments, but also certain mesenchymal stem cells across different tissues, and most likely the hair follicle (where quiescence plays a crucial role in its niche cycle).