Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.11 | Jul 15 2010

The Use of Microfiber Composites of Elastin-Like Protein Matrix Reinforced with Synthetic Collagen in the Design of Vascular Grafts 
Researchers combined extracellular matrix protein analogues to yield multilamellar vascular grafts comprised of a recombinant elastin-like protein matrix reinforced with synthetic collagen microfibers. [Biomaterials]

Scientists Develop New Way to Grow Adult Stem Cells in Culture
Researchers have found that growing muscle stem cells on a specially developed synthetic matrix that mimics the elasticity of real muscle allows them to maintain their self-renewing properties. [Press release from the Stanford University School of Medicine discussing online prepublication in Science]

Engineering Could Give Reconstructive Surgery a Face-Lift
Researchers applied an engineering design technique called topology optimization. The approach uses extensive 3D modeling to design structures that need to support specific loads in a confined space. [Press release from the University of Illinois discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA]

A New Generation of Biological Scaffolds
Researchers have been working on ways of producing biological scaffolds, derived from natural human or animal tissues that will not be rejected by a patient’s immune system and can be repaired and renewed like normal tissue. The technique developed by the Leeds group removes the cells from natural tissues to leave a biological scaffold which can be regenerated by the patient’s own cells. [Press release from the University of Leeds discussing research presented at the UK National Stem Cell Network Annual Meeting]

Derive iPSCs feeder-free* with mTeSR®1 by STEMCELL Technologies     *Sun et al., PNAS, September 2009. *Chan et al., Nature Biotechnology, October 2009.

Substrate Elasticity Regulates Skeletal Muscle Stem Cell Self-Renewal in Culture
Unlike muscle stem cells (MuSCs) on rigid plastic dishes, MuSCs cultured on soft hydrogel substrates that mimic the elasticity of muscle self-renew in vitro and contribute extensively to muscle regeneration when subsequently transplanted into mice and assayed histologically and quantitatively by noninvasive bioluminescence imaging. [Science]

The Extracellular Matrix Molecule Hyaluronic Acid Regulates Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity by Modulating Postsynaptic L-Type Ca²⁺ Channels
Observations unveil a previously unrecognized mechanism by which the perisynaptic extracellular matrix influences use-dependent synaptic plasticity through regulation of dendritic Ca²⁺ channels. [Neuron]

Topological Optimization for Designing Patient-Specific Large Craniofacial Segmental Bone Replacements
Topological optimization for designing facial bone tissue replacements might improve current clinical methods and provide essential enabling technology to translate generic bone tissue engineering methods into specific solutions for individual patients. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

Modular Enzymatically Crosslinked Protein Polymer Hydrogels for In Situ Gelation
Biomaterials that mimic the extracellular matrix in both modularity and crosslinking chemistry have the potential to recapitulate the instructive signals that ultimately control cell fate. Toward this goal, modular protein polymer-based hydrogels were created through genetic engineering and enzymatic crosslinking. [Biomaterials]

Preserved Extracellular Matrix Components and Retained Biological Activity in Decellularized Porcine Mesothelium
Decellularized mesothelium is a sheet material with a combination of strength and biological activity that may have many potential applications in surgical repair and regenerative medicine. [Biomaterials]

Extracellular Matrix of Glioblastoma Inhibits Polarization and Transmigration of T Cells: The Role of Tenascin-C in Immune Suppression
Researchers demonstrate in this study that the extracellular matrix produced by tumors can directly regulate T cell migration. [J Immunol]

Combinatorial Extracellular Matrices for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation in 3D
Researchers investigated the effects of combinatorial extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on controlled human embryonic stem cell differentiation. Varying ECM compositions in 3D markedly affects cell behavior, and optimal compositions of ECM hydrogels are identified that facilitate specific-lineage differentiation of stem cells. [Biomacromolecules]

Lack of Collagen XVIII/Endostatin Exacerbates Immune-Mediated Glomerulonephritis
Results suggest that collagen XVIII/endostatin preserves the integrity of the extracellular matrix and capillaries in the kidney, protecting against progressive glomerulonephritis. [J Am Soc Nephrol]

Collagen/Heparin Coating on Titanium Surface Improves the Biocompatibility of Titanium Applied as a Blood-Contacting Biomaterial
This article deals with improving the endothelial progenitor cell compatibility and hemocompatibility of titanium by coating an extracellular matrix-like film with heparin and collagen by a layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

A Novel Composite Construct Increases the Vascularization Potential of PEG Hydrogels Through the Incorporation of Large Fibrin Ribbons
Distribution of large fibrin ribbons throughout poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels provide a potential mechanism for vascularization of a well-established biomaterial without inherently changing its desirable properties. [J Biomed Mater Res A]

Fibronectin and Laminin Promote Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Insulin Producing Cells Through Activating Akt and ERK
Researchers report adding extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin or laminin enhances pancreatic differentiation with increases in insulin and Glut2 gene expressions, proinsulin and insulin protein levels, and insulin release in response to elevated glucose concentration. [J Biomed Sci]

Roche and IBM Collaborate to Develop Nanopore-Based DNA Sequencing Technology
Roche and IBM announced an agreement to develop a nanopore-based sequencer that will directly read and decode human DNA quickly and efficiently. [Roche Press Release]

NeoStem to Receive $700,000 from the U.S. Army’s Medical Research and Materiel Command to Advance Adult Stem Cell Therapies in Treating Traumatic Wounds
NeoStem, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a $700,000 contract from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center under U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity contract number: (W81XWH-10-2-0039). [NeoStem, Inc. Press Release]

Phase III Meeting Scheduled with FDA Following Positive Results of Bone Marrow Regeneration Trial
Mesoblast Limited announced that based on positive results from its bone marrow transplant clinical trial, conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a formal meeting has been scheduled with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss a proposed Phase III clinical trial program. [Mesoblast Limited Press Release]

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Boosts Research and Development Capabilities with Launch of Advanced Research and Technology Center
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced the creation of an Advanced Research and Technology center that will lead the company’s efforts to develop revolutionary new wound healing, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic support system technologies and treatments. [Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Press Release]

CMS Proposes Updated Dermagraft Coding for 2011
Advanced BioHealing, Inc. announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed to create a new G-code for the application of Dermagraft with a 0-day global period for calendar year 2011. [Advanced BioHealing, Inc. Press Release]

NIH Expands National Network for Transforming Clinical and Translational Research
Nine health research centers have received funds to develop ways to reduce the time it takes for clinical research to become treatments for patients. The funds were awarded as part of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program which is led by the National Center for Research Resources. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Bioethics Council Hears Pleas for More Oversight of Synthetic Biology
A presidential bioethics commission took up a burning new issue in science: the risks and benefits of synthetic biology. [Bioethics Council, United States]

Harold Varmus Sworn in as National Cancer Institute’s 14th Director
Nobel Prize winner Harold E. Varmus, M.D., took the oath of office to become the National Cancer Institute’s 14th director. [National Cancer Institute, United State]

Berwick Appointed to Head CMS Without Senate Vote
Pediatrician Donald Berwick, MD, a leading advocate of patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare, became the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) without a bruising Senate confirmation process. [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, United States]

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Elects Margaret Conn Himelfarb as Chair
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission announced that it has elected Margaret Conn Himelfarb as chair and Bowen P. Weisheit, Jr. as vice chair. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission, United States]

Genetic Testing Clamp Down
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has told five genetic test manufacturers that their products need the agency’s blessing before they can be sold to consumers. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

Britain Delays Controversial Assessment Scheme for Research
Britain’s new science minister made good a manifesto pledge when he announced that the coalition government would delay for one year the implementation of the controversial Research Excellence Framework, a system of assessing university departments for the distribution of funding. [Ministry of Universities and Science, United Kingdom]

MHRA Annual Report and Accounts 2009/10
The Annual Report and Accounts give a selective overview of the events that have had most impact on the Agency during the past year, highlighting the landmark events and the safety issues the Agency has had to deal with, including the rise and global spread of pandemic influenza H1N1. [Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, United Kingdom]

Spanish Science Spending Lockdown
Spain’s science and innovation minister said that research funding will be “frozen or minimally reduced” as a result of government-wide austerity measures. [Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain]

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC); Notice of Meeting [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States]

Request for Information (RFI) on the National Institutes of Health Plan to Develop the Genetic Testing Registry; Notice [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting [National Institutes of Health, United States]

FASEB Summer Research Conference – Thrombospondins and Other Matricellular Proteins in Tissue Organization and Homeostasis
July 18-23, 2010
Snowmass, United States

The Tissue & Cell Engineering Society 2010 Meeting
July 28-30, 2010
Manchester, United Kingdom

2nd International Conference on Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (ICCMB2)
August 2-4, 2010
Singapore

2010 World Cancer Congress
August 18-21, 2010
Shenzhen, China

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Meeting – Advancing the Life Sciences
September 4-7, 2010
Barcelona, Spain

23rd European Conference on Biomaterials
September 11-15, 2010
Tampere, Finland

Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010
September 13-15, 2010
Philadelphia, United States 

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – Asia Pacific 2010
September 15-17, 2010
Sydney, Australia

15th Congress of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO)
September 15-17, 2010
Bordeaux, France

9th Annual Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) World Congress
September 19-23, 2010
Sydney, Australia

Symposium on Advanced Wound Care
September 23-25, 2010
Anaheim, United States

4th International Conference on Biofabrication
October 4-6, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

35th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress
October 8-12, 2010
Milan, Italy

BioStar 2010 – 4th Congress on Regenerative Biology and Medicine
October 13-15, 2010
Stuttgart, Germany

American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) 2010 Biennial Meeting
October 24-27, 2010
Charleston, United States

Select Biosciences 2nd Annual Lab-on-a-Chip World Congress
October 28-29, 2010
San Diego, United States

Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium 2010
October 29-30, 2010
Leipzig, Germany

6th National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Conference
November 7-10, 2010
Liverpool, United Kingdom

Select Biosciences 2nd International Forum on Stem Cells (2010 IFSC)
November 12-13, 2010
Tianjin, China

Medica 2010
November 17-20, 2010
Dusseldorf, Germany

Translational Excellence in Regenerative Medicine – Biophysical Stimuli and Mass Transport for Tissue Development
November 18-19, 2010
Lattrop, The Netherlands

Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) – North America 2010 Annual Conference
December 5-8, 2010
Orlando, United States

50th Anniversary American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting
December 11-15, 2010
Philadelphia, United States

Select Biosciences 5th Annual Stem Cells World Congress
January 24-25, 2011
San Diego, United States

Visit our events page  to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

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