Extracellular Matrix News Volume 1.21 | Sep 23 2010

The Healing of Bony Defects by Cell-Free Collagen-Based Scaffolds Compared to Stem Cell-Seeded Tissue Engineered Constructs  

Fibrillin-1 and -2 Differentially Modulate Endogenous TGF-Beta and BMP Bioavailability During Bone Formation
Researchers demonstrate that fibrillin-1 and -2, the structural components of extracellular microfibrils, differentially regulate TGF-beta and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) bioavailability in bone. [J Cell Biol]

Collagen XV Is Necessary for Modeling of the Extracellular Matrix and Its Deficiency Predisposes to Cardiomyopathy
Researchers aimed to characterize the extracellular matrix, cardiovascular function and responses to elevated cardiovascular load in mice lacking collagen XV (Col15a1-/-) to define its functional role in the vasculature and in age- and hypertension-associated myocardial remodeling. [Circ Res]

Loss of PI3K Gamma Enhances cAMP-Dependent MMP Remodeling of the Myocardial N-Cadherin Adhesion Complexes and Extracellular Matrix in Response to Early Biomechanical Stress
The enhanced propensity to develop heart failure in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) gamma knockout mice is attributable to a cAMP-dependent upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity and disorganization of the N-cadherin/beta-catenin cell adhesion complex. [Circ Res]

MatrixDB, the Extracellular Matrix Interaction Database
MatrixDB (http://matrixdb.ibcp.fr) is a freely available database focused on interactions established by extracellular proteins and polysaccharides. [Nucleic Acids Res]

In Situ Thermal Gelling Polypeptide for Chondrocytes 3D Culture
Researchers report a reverse thermal gelling L/DL-polyalanine block copolymer aqueous solution for chondrocyte 3D culture. [Biomaterials]

Incorporation of Biomaterials in Multicellular Aggregates Modulates Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation
Microparticles fabricated from different materials, such as agarose, PLGA and gelatin, were stably integrated, in a dose-dependent manner, within aggregates of pluripotent stem cells prior to differentiation as a means to directly examine stem cell-biomaterial interactions in 3D. [Biomaterials]

Tissue-Specific Calibration of Extracellular Matrix Material Properties by Transforming Growth Factor-Beta and Runx2 in Bone Is Required for Hearing
Researchers show that Runx2, a key lineage-specific transcription factor, regulates the material properties of bone matrix through the same transforming growth factor-beta-responsive pathway that controls osteoblast differentiation. [EMBO Rep]

Controlling Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells Using Extracellular Matrix Protein Patterns
Extracellular matrix protein patterns were fabricated and utilized to identify the optimal insoluble (physical) cues, and to investigate the effect of physical cues combined with cell-cell interactions on the neuronal and glial differentiation of neural stem cells. [Small]

Spatial Regulation of cAMP-Epac1 Signaling in Cell Adhesion by ERM Proteins
Researchers conclude that Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin (ERM) proteins are involved in the spatial regulation of Epac1 and cooperate with cAMP and Rap-mediated signaling to regulate adhesion to the extracellular matrix. [Mol Cell Biol]
 
IGFBP-3 Can Either Inhibit or Enhance EGF-Mediated Growth of Breast Epithelial Cells Dependent Upon the Presence of Fibronectin
Researchers have examined the effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGFBP-3) on EGF-responses of breast epithelial cells in the context of changes in the extracellular matrix. [J Biol Chem]

Biomerix Corporation and Synthecon Announce Strategic Distribution Agreement
Biomerix Corporation and Synthecon announced a strategic distribution agreement for three-dimensional cell culture scaffolds developed using Biomerix Corporation’s unique biomaterial technology. [Biomerix Corporation Press Release]

Genmab and Seattle Genetics Enter into Antibody-Drug Conjugate Research Collaboration
Genmab A/S and Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into an antibody-drug conjugate research collaboration agreement. [Seattle Genetics, Inc. Press Release]

Scientists Seek Donations on Innovative Micro-Philanthropy Site
A creative new web site connects funding proposals by scientists with contributors who want to support the work out of the goodness of their hearts. [ScienceInsider]

U.S. Patent Office Issues MultiStat® Patent for Treatment of Rosacea
Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,795,302 entitled “Use of Compositions for Treating Rosacea.” [Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. Press Release]

Life Technologies Signs Strategic Out-Licenses for Recombinant Protein Bioproduction
Life Technologies Corporation announced that it has finalized cell line license agreements with a number of companies to provide rights to Life Technologies’ proprietary CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell lines for the production of recombinant proteins used as therapeutic agents and vaccines. [Life Technologies Corporation Press Release]

University of South Florida Stem Cell Scientists Call for Research Ethics Consortium
Two University of South Florida stem cell researchers propose creating an independent national “Stem Cell Research Ethics Consortium” to provide better guidance on stem cell issues for regulatory agencies, law makers and policy makers. [University of South Florida Press Release]

NIH Releases Biennial Report of the Director
Dr. Francis S. Collins, M.D., PhD, director of the National Institutes of Health, announced the release of the Biennial Report of the Director, NIH, for fiscal years 2008 and 2009. The report provides an integrated portrait of NIH research activities, making it easy for Congress, advocates and patient groups and the general public to understand the many activities of the agency. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

FDA Calls for Hearing on Biosimilars Legislation
The Food and Drug Administration will hold a two-day public hearing as it prepares to put into place regulations for the approval of generic versions of biological products, according to a draft document circulating among healthcare lobbyists. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

FDA to Review Medical Products Alongside Medicare
A new process to review medical products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in tandem with the nation’s Medicare insurance program could help speed up coverage decisions. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

European Medicines Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Extend Confidentiality Arrangements Indefinitely
The European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have extended their confidentiality arrangements related to medicinal products for human and veterinary use, following the positive experience gained since the initial arrangements were signed in September 2003. [European Medicines Agency, 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 Plans Policy Options to Boost Pharma
The government is looking at policy options to strengthen India’s thriving pharmaceutical industry and check growing instances of takeovers by foreign players. [Commerce Department, India]
 
National Center for Research Resources; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23852) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23867) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23849) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23860) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23545) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23543) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Guidance on Withdrawal of Subjects From Research: Data Retention and Other Related Issues (FR Doc. 2010-23517) [Department of Health and Human Services, 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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