Professor Molly Shoichet (ChemE, IBBME) was recently profiled by Forbes for her research into stem-cell delivery.

Professor Shoichet’s lab is looking to solve a complex challenge facing stem-cell researchers: how to ensure that cells delivered to patients don’t die after transplantation to the point of care.

Speaking to colleagues of the International Society of Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), in Boston recently, she explained how her team have designed a very simple, injectable material that can help transplant cells into the central nervous system, and even into the eye.

She calls it a hydrogel, essentially a mix of hyaluronan and methyl cellulose.

“What we’re doing is looking at delivering molecules that will stimulate the stem cells and promote their neuralization as a way to advance tissue and function repair,” said Professor Shoichet.

Her lab is currently running tests, with hopes to move the technology into the clinical trial stage. “And we have begun to explore this with collaborators industry,” she said.

“Timing is always difficult to pinpoint,” she added. “But we are truly excited by our results.”

To read the full story, visit Forbes.com.