Umar Akbar

Umar Akbar

Tanzania

Publications
  • Research Article
    Isolation and Characterization of Adult Spinal Disc Stem Cells from Healthy Human Spinal Disc Tissues
    Author(s): Christopher Duntsch, Erika Dillard and Umar AkbarChristopher Duntsch, Erika Dillard and Umar Akbar

    This report details the isolation, culture, and characterization of spinal disc stem cells derived from human adult spinal disc tissue specimens. Using stem cell suspension culture methods and biology, human adult spinal disc stem cells were isolated and monoclonally cultured into multicellular sphere-like clusters (discospheres). Discospheres from the first culture series were collected, processed, and replated as single stem cells for serial expansion studies using suspension culture, demonstrating linear expansion was possible. Discospheres and adult spinal disc stem cells were plated on matrix coated culture surfaces in stem cell media for several hours to allow fixation, and assayed for the stem cell biomarkers. Discospheres and adult spinal disc stem cells were plated on laminin-coated culture surfaces in chondrogenic media and culture conditions for 14 days to differentiate the.. View More»

    Abstract PDF