Growth factors influence the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of embryonic stem cells and may be used for this purpose. However, the potential of growth factor therapy is currently limited by the extent to which delivery can be targeted to tissue containing vulnerable neurons or transplants while minimizing toxic effects to healthy tissue. The focus of this research is to develop synthetic polymer materials that present potent molecules to neural cells in a spatially and temporally programmable manner. The long-term goal of this research is to identify and use patterns of chemical cues to control the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of endogenous and transplanted neurons as a treatment for neurodegenerative disease or injury in the CNS.
