NEURAL DIFFERENTIATION OF HUMAN DENTAL PULP STEM CELLS ON ADVANCED 2D MATERIAL

Abstract

About 1 billion people are affected by neurological disorders worldwide and about 6.8 million succumb to this every year. This high mortality rate is due to the poor regenerating property of neurons. While neurons do not regenerate easily, stem cells can develop into new neurons in the presence of a suitable environment and stimulus.

This thesis explores the identification of a protocol that aids in neuronal differentiation, selection and modification of a suitable substrate and enhancing the differention through the application of external stimuli. The thesis is divided into four phases.

The aim of phase 1 was to select a suitable method for neural differentiation of hDPSC. The next phase was to check the ability of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) grown 2D graphene (2DG) as a substrate to promote neural differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) using the protocol selected from phase 1. Third phase was to check the ability of the 2DG to promote motor neuron (MN) differentiation of hDPSC. Final phase was to understand the role of the mechanical stimulus rendered by 2DG for the enhanced neural differentiation.