“Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are multipotent stem cells derived from dental pulp, the soft tissue contained within teeth.”
This is the first line of a research paper I wrote in high school. We were a 3-person group, investigating how various topographical surfaces affected stem cell proliferation and differentiation.
To create our surfaces, we spin-coated solutions of polylactic acid (PLA) and polystyrene onto silicon wafers, before dissolving out the polystyrene. We mixed different ratios for the solutions, resulting in different topographies. We plated the surfaces with stem cells and observed their behavior for 12 weeks.
Despite the simple setup, our experiments achieved some pretty cool results. We were able to create a surface that resembled dentin, the calcified tissue located beneath the tooth’s enamel. Its similarity to real biology caused the stem cells to undergo osteogenesis (i.e. differentiating into bone cells). We could then harvest the bone cells and use them for regenerative medicine or bone therapy.
For a long time, I thought I was going to become a doctor. Despite the Asian stereotype, I had a genuine interest in medicine. Obviously, I ended up pursuing something else, but when I reflect on my past, I find this research project to be a cool piece of my personal history.