Using Small Molecules To Control Stem Cell Growth And Differentiation

During the in vitro culture of stem cells, small molecules play an important role in signaling pathways that control cell proliferation and differentiation. Synthetic and naturally occurring molecules that interact with certain signaling pathways are an integral component of stem cell research. Compounds designed to interact with specific stages in developmental pathways can be utilized to invoke specific cellular responses, which can be modulated through changes in compound concentration. This brief overview explores the role of small molecules in stem cell research, their ability to regulate stem cell proliferation, and their function as determined by the specific key signaling pathways they interact with.