Stem cell ‘shortcut’ research

Stem cell research to treat cancer and a range of life-threatening diseases could be made cheaper and more effective thanks to cutting edge research by a Christchurch engineer.

Dr Azadeh Hashemi will mould highly detailed 3D replicas of stem cells to create conditions that more closely mimic those inside the human body.

At present, the microscopic stem cells are placed on the flat surface of a culture flask but this process is time-consuming, expensive and does not guarantee positive results. Hashemi will use liquid polymer to create an imprint of the cells, which is detailed to a nano-scale. They will then adhere to the material in the way they bond together when they form naturally.

The postdoctoral researcher at Canterbury University said that with the right conditions, the technique would make the cells ‘‘think’’ they were in a natural environment and hopefully grow more consistently. If successful, the practical applications for her work would include treatments for Parkinson’s disease, skin tissue for burns victims and other cellbased replacement therapies.

Hashemi, who moved to Christchurch from Iran in 2014 to undertake her PhD, is one of two Canterbury University scholars to receive Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships. Ten were awarded, allowing PhD graduates to undertake two years postdoctoral research in New Zealand.

The other recipient is Argentinian Dr Rodrigo Martinez Gazoni, who aims to develop transparent conducting thin-films and nanostructured materials.

It is hoped the project will expand understanding and control of transparent conducting oxides, enabling the development of a wide range of environmental, energy and industrial applications.

‘‘When I was a very young kid I would take apart my toys just to figure out what was behind the noise, light or movement they made. Putting the toys together was a completely different challenge,’’ he said.