+Científicas : Proyecto para promover la participación y representación de las mujeres en el campo de la ciencia, tecnología e innovación (CTI)

La baja participación femenina en el campo de la ciencia, tecnología e innovación (CTI) es aún un tema por resolver. En efecto, este tipo de carreras se asocian al género másculino y se piensa que existen otras carreras femeninas. En consecuencia, la presente investigación se centra en el ámbito escolar y busca comprobar cómo los estereotipos de género fortalecen esta brecha. Para ello, el estudio indaga percepciones y estereotipos de las estudiantes sobre el rubro de la CTI, dilemas, factores y actores que influyen en la elección de una profesión, y recursos y medios por los cuales se informan sobre carreras técnicas o universitarias. En ese sentido, la metodología elegida es de carácter mixto: cuantitativo y cualitativo. Como resultado, se concluye que las adolescentes no tienen presentes los estereotipos de género; sin embargo, desconocen el campo de las CTI y desconfían de sus habilidades para elegir estudiar una carrera de este rubro. Esto último, contribuye a que la brecha se mantenga. A partir de ello, se diseña el proyecto de Comunicación para el Desarrollo titulado “+Científicas” con el objetivo de lograr que las adolescentes mujeres de 5to de secundaria se interesen en el campo de las ciencias y confíen en sus capacidades para elegir carreras de CTI como profesión. Esto último, a partir de una estrategia comunicacional cuyas actividades están basadas en los enfoques de eduentretenimiento, comunicación dialógica y comunicación para el cambio de comportamientoThe level of female participation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STEAM) is still an issue to be solved. Indeed, these professions are associated with the masculine gender and it is thought that other careers are meant for women. In consequence, this research is focused on the school environment and seeks to verify how gender stereotypes tend to strengthen the gender gap in science. The study investigates perceptions and stereotypes of the students about the STEAM, dilemmas, elements and actors that influence the choice to study certain professions, and resources they use to get informed about technical or university careers. In this sense, the chosen methodology is mixed: quantitative and qualitative. As a result, it is concluded that teenangers do not keep gender stereotypes in mind; however, they are unaware of the field of CTI and mistrust their abilities to choose to study a career in this area, which contributes to maintaining the gap. Based on this, this Communication for Development project is entitled "+Científicas' ' and is designed to let female adolescents in 5th grade of high school get interested in the field of science and trust in their abilities to choose STEAM careers as a profession. This project is a communication strategy and it’s activities are based on the approaches of edutainment, dialogical communication and communication for behavior change

Advances in tissue engineering through stem cell-based co-culture

Stem cells are the future in tissue engineering and regeneration. In a co-culture, stem cells not only provide a target cell source with multipotent differentiation capacity, but can also act as assisting cells that promote tissue homeostasis, metabolism, growth and repair. Their incorporation into co-culture systems seems to be important in the creation of complex tissues or organs. In this review, critical aspects of stem cell use in co-culture systems are discussed. Direct and indirect co-culture methodologies used in tissue engineering are described, along with various characteristics of cellular interactions in these systems. Direct cell–cell contact, cell–extracellular matrix interaction and signalling via soluble factors are presented. The advantages of stem cell co-culture strategies and their applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are portrayed through specific examples for several tissues, including orthopaedic soft tissues, bone, heart, vasculature, lung, kidney, liver and nerve. A concise review of the progress and the lessons learned are provided, with a focus on recent developments and their implications. It is hoped that knowledge developed from one tissue can be translated to other tissues. Finally, we address challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine that can potentially be overcome via employing strategies for stem cel