Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.20 | Sep 16 2010

Cell Behavior on Extracellular Matrix Mimic Materials Based on Mussel Adhesive Protein Fused with Functional Peptides  

New Insight into ‘Accelerated Aging’ Disease
Researchers showed that the mutation associated with their mouse model for progeria produces a progerin-like truncation of lamin A and causes post-natal connective tissue cells to stop producing an extracellular matrix. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online prepublication in Developmental Cell]

Functional Coupling Between the Extracellular Matrix and Nuclear Lamina by Wnt Signaling in Progeria
Results establish a functional link between the nuclear envelope/lamina and the cell surface/extracellular matrix (ECM) and may provide insights into the role of Wnt signaling and the ECM in aging. [Dev Cell]

Dynamic Presentation of Immobilized Ligands Regulated Through Biomolecular Recognition
To mimic the dynamic regulation of signaling ligands immobilized on extracellular matrices or on the surfaces of neighboring cells for guidance of cell behavior and fate selection, researchers have harnessed biomolecular recognition in combination with polymer engineering to create dynamic surfaces on which the accessibility of immobilized ligands to cell surface receptors can be reversibly interconverted under physiological conditions. [J Am Chem Soc]

A Combinatorial Screening of Human Fibroblast Responses on Micro-Structured Surfaces
Researchers demonstrate the use of a highly versatile combinatorial screening approach to identify the effect of 169 distinct surface topographies, consisting of pillars, on fibroblast proliferation and mechanical response. [Biomaterials]

Flow-Manipulated, Crosslinked Collagen Gels for Use as Corneal Equivalents
Researchers aimed to construct a mechanically stable and optically transparent collagen gel from an acidified atelocollagen solution which is suitable for use as a corneal stromal equivalent. [Biomaterials]

Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 Dysfunction Underlie Vascular Stiffness in Circadian Clock-Mutant Mice
Circadian clock dysfunction contributes to hardening of arteries, which may involve impaired control of the extracellular matrix composition. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol]

The Streptococcal Collagen-Binding Protein CNE Specifically Interferes with (Alpha)V(Beta)3-Mediated Cellular Interactions with Triple-Helical Collagen
Data indicate that contraction proceeded through an indirect mechanism involving binding of cell-produced fibronectin to the collagen fibers. Furthermore, data show that cell-mediated collagen gel contraction does not directly depend on the process of fibril formation. [J Biol Chem]

Epigenetic Changes and Alteration of Fbn-1 and Col3A1 Gene Expression Under Hyperglycemic and Hyperinsulinemic Conditions
Researchers provide first evidence regarding the role of hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia in altering histone H3 modifications which may result in alteration of extracellular matrix gene expression. [Biochem J]

Endoglin Regulates Tgf-B/Smad Signaling and Its Expression Correlates with Extracellular Matrix Production and Cellular Differentiation State in Human Chondrocytes
Results suggest that endoglin regulates the balance between TGF-beta/ALK1/Smad1/5 and ALK5/Smad2/3 signaling and extracellular matrix production in human chondrocytes and that endoglin may represent a marker for chondrocyte phenotype. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage]

Impaired Astrocytic Extracellular Matrix Distribution Under Congenital Hypothyroidism Affects Neuronal Development In Vitro
Results demonstrated that hypothyroidism involves impairment of the astrocytic microenvironment and affects the production of ECM proteins. [J Neurosci Res]

Design of Nano- and Micro-Fiber Combined Scaffolds by Electrospinning of Collagen onto Starch-Based Fiber Meshes: A Man-Made Equivalent of Natural Extracellular Matrix
By providing simultaneously physical and chemical cues for cells, the herein proposed combined structures hold a great potential in bone regeneration as a man-made equivalent of extracellular matrix. [Tissue Eng Part A]

STEMSOFT® Software Inc. Licenses StemLab® Software to Arizona’s Celebration Stem Cell Centre
STEMSOFT Software Inc., the leading provider of software solutions for the cell therapy and transplant community, is pleased to announce the licensing of StemLab, the leading cell therapy and cord blood banking laboratory software, to the Celebration Stem Cell Centre in Gilbert, Arizona. [STEMSOFT Software Inc. Press Release]

Geron Obtains Exclusive License for Deriving Cartilage from Human Embryonic Stem Cells from University of Edinburgh
Geron Corporation announced that it has entered into a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with the University of Edinburgh covering technology that allows the efficient production of chondrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells. [Geron Corporation Press Release]

RTI Biologics and Athersys Announce Collaboration in the Orthopedic Market
RTI Biologics Inc. (RTI) and Athersys Inc. announced an agreement under which Athersys will provide RTI access to its Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cell technologies. [Athersys Inc. Press Release]

Lilly to Invest Up to $150 Million in Venture Capital
Eli Lilly & Co., facing competition from cheaper copies of its top-selling drug next year, plans to invest as much as $150 million in three venture capital funds to aid development of new medicines. [Bloomberg]

Third Rock Ventures Raises $426 Million Fund II
Third Rock Ventures, LLC announced the final closing of Fund II, raising $426 million in an oversubscribed fund. With Fund II, Third Rock will continue to execute on its strategy and build on its successful track record of launching and supporting transformative life sciences companies. [Third Rock Ventures, LLC Press Release]

CorMatrix Receives FDA IDE Approval to Begin Prospective, Randomized Evaluation of New Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Subjects Receiving the CorMatrix® ECM™ for Pericardial Closure
CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted conditional approval for the start of a multi-center, prospective, randomized clinical trial to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the CorMatrix ECM for Pericardial Closure to reduce the incidence of new onset postoperative atrial fibrillation. [CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc. Press Release]

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission to Host Third Annual Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission will host the Third Annual Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium in partnership with the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Standards and Technology on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Press Release]

‘Sound Science’ Code Draws Fire
The first draft policy on scientific integrity from a federal agency, released by the Department of the Interior, has drawn a storm of criticism from watchdogs including the Union of Concerned Scientists, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. [Union of Concerned Scientists, United States]

New Animal-Research Regulations for the European Union
European scientists will use fewer animals in research when newly approved regulations come into effect across the European Union. [European Parliament, European Union]

Mixing Animals and Human Tissues? Go Ahead If It Cures, Public Tells Researchers
The majority of the general public is in favor of research using animals containing human material (ACHM) if doing so helps to improve human health and cure diseases, says a study. [Academy of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom]

Government Sets Up Panel to Regulate Use of Stem Cells
The health ministry has approved and notified a committee to look at therapies related to stem cells and genes. [Ministry of Health, India]

National Center for Research Resources; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-22529) [National Institutes of Health, Untied States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23024) [National Institutes of Health, Untied States]
 
National Human Genome Research Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23027) [National Institutes of Health, Untied States]
 
Dynamics of Host-Associated Microbial Communities (R01) (RFA-GM-12-001) [National Institutes of Health, Untied States]
 
Enhancing Peer Review:  Reminder of and Correction to Previous Notice on A2 Resubmission Opportunities for Eligible Applications (NOT-OD-10-135) [National Institutes of Health, Untied States]

Notice of Correction to RFA-AG-11-010, Basic Research on Self-Regulation (R21) (NOT-AG-10-011) [National Institutes of Health, Untied States]
 
Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: The Development of Immunotoxins/Targeted Toxins for the Treatment of Human Cancer (FR Doc. 2010-22844) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

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

BioMalaysia 2010 Conference and Exhibition
November 2-4, 2010
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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

First Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies (BSRT) PhD Symposium
December 1-3, 2010
Berlin, Germany

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

Epithelial Plasticity and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
January 21-26, 2011
Vancouver, Canada

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

Phacilitate 7th Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Forum 2011
January 24-26, 2011
Washington, DC, 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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