Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.08 | Mar 3 2011

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         In this issue: Science News | Current Publications | Industry News | Policy News | Events
     

    TOP STORY
    The Human Hyaluronan Synthase 2 Gene and Its Natural Antisense RNA Exhibit Coordinated Expression in the Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell
    Data show that transcriptional induction of human hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2)-AS1 and HAS2 occurs simultaneously in proximal tubular epithelial cell, and suggest that transcription of the antisense RNA stabilizes or augments HAS2 mRNA expression in these cells via RNA:mRNA heteroduplex formation. [J Biol Chem]

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    SCIENCE NEWS

    Scientists Devise Artificial Intestine to Help Engineer Disease-Fighting Gut Bacteria
    3D hydrogel scaffolds developed by researchers will allow scientists to grow cells under realistic physiological conditions. [Press release from Cornell University discussing online prepublication in Lab on a Chip]

    Biomimetic Patch to Be Tested on Tricky Tendon-to-Bone Repairs
    Two Washington scientists are imitating nature as they attempt to solve one of the most difficult problems in orthopedic surgery: reattaching tendon to bone. [Washington University in St. Louis Press Release]

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    CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

    Electrospun Sulfated Silk Fibroin Nanofibrous Scaffolds for Vascular Tissue Engineering
    Researchers fabricated sulfated silk fibroin nanofibrous scaffolds (S-silk scaffolds) and assessed the anticoagulant activity and cytocompatibility of S-silk scaffolds in vitro in order to improve the antithrombogenicity and get some insights into its potential use for vascular tissue engineering. [Biomaterials]

    Maintenance of Phenotype and Function of Cryopreserved Bone-Derived Cells
    This work demonstrates that cryopreserved bone grafts may represent a novel, accessible source of cells for tissue regeneration therapy, and the results of the study may also stimulate the development of other cryopreservation techniques in basic and clinical studies. [Biomaterials]

    Microscale 3D Hydrogel Scaffold for Biomimetic Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Model
    Researchers describe a simple and efficient method for fabricating natural and synthetic hydrogels into 3D geometries with high aspect ratio and curvature. [Lab Chip]
     
    Cementum- and Periodontal Ligament-Like Tissue Formation by Dental Follicle Cell Sheets Co-Cultured with Hertwig’s Epithelial Root Sheath Cells
    Results indicate that the dental follicle cell (DFC) sheets induced by Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath cells are able to produce periodontal tissues through epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Therefore, DFC sheets may be useful in the field of periodontium regeneration. [Bone]

    Production of Highly-Aligned Collagen Lamellae by Combining Shear Force and Thin-Film Confinement
    In this investigation researchers have used the simple technique of spin coating to produce highly-aligned arrays of collagen fibrils. [Acta Biomater]

    Incorporation of a Decorin Biomimetic Enhances the Mechanical Properties of Electrochemically Aligned Collagen Threads
    Researchers conclude that incorporation of an optimal amount of DS-SILY is a promising approach to synthesize mechanically competent collagen based biomaterials for tendon tissue engineering applications. [Acta Biomater]

    Tenascin-C Triggers Fibrin Accumulation by Downregulation of Tissue Plasminogen Activator
    Researchers explored novel functions of tenascin-C by comparing mouse embryonic fibroblasts proficient or deficient in tenascin-C expression. [FEBS Letters]

    Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) Forms Part of the Connective Tissue of Normal Human Hair Follicles
    Results reveal for the first time that COMP is part of the extracellular matrix and suggests its important role in normal human hair follicle biology. [Exp Dermatol]

    Finite Element Analysis of the Effects of Focal Adhesion Mechanical Properties and Substrate Stiffness on Cell Migration
    This mathematical model is able to quantify the effects of focal adhesion mechanical properties, extracellular stiffness, and intracellular stresses on cell-extracellular matrix interactions, and should be beneficial to research in cancer development. [J Biomech]

    Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication in Human Stellate Cells Regulates Gene Expression of Extracellular Matrix-Related Molecules
    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA replication affected gene expression of extracellular matrix-related molecules in both hepatic stellate cells and hepatic cells, suggesting that HCV RNA replication and/or HCV proteins directly contribute to liver fibrosis. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun]

    INDUSTRY NEWS

    Tengion Announces Pricing of $31.4 Million Private Placement
    Tengion, Inc., a leader in regenerative medicine, announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with certain investors in connection with a PIPE financing transaction pursuant to registration exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. [Tengion, Inc. Press Release]

    Stromedix: Fibrosis Is Ready for Prime Time
    Where business angels fear to tread, Stromedix is rapidly expanding its footprint. With its lead compound entering a Phase II clinical trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the company announced it had licensed a second integrin compound for acute and chronic organ failure. [PartneringNEWS]

    Quick-Med Technologies Receives Two MultiStat® Patents in Mexico
    Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. announced that the patent office of Mexico, Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial, has issued two new patents that broaden the international intellectual property coverage of Quick-Med’s MultiStat® technology. [Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. Press Release]

    Halozyme Therapeutics to Present at Two Investor Conferences in March
    Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products targeting the extracellular matrix, announced that management will be presenting at two investor conferences during March. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. Press Release]

    POLICY NEWS

    National Institutes of Health (United States)

    Food and Drug Administration (United States)

    Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)
     
    European Medicines Agency (European Union)

    Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

    Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

    EVENTS

    NEW Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society 2011 Asia Pacific Meeting (TERMIS-AP 2011)
    August 3-5, 2011
    Singapore

    NEW Gordon Research Conference on “Matrix Metalloproteinases”
    August 7-12, 2011
    Smithfield, United States

    NEW Vascular Matrix Biology and Bioengineering Workshop III at the NAVBO 2011 Workshops in Vascular Biology 
    October 16-20, 2011
    Hyannis, United States

    NEW BioInterface 2011 Symposium and Workshop
    October 24-26, 2011
    Bloomington, United States
     
    NEW World Conference on Regenerative Medicine 2011
    November 2-4, 2011
    Leipzig, Germany

    NEW Cell Therapy Manufacturing – Stem Cells and Immunotherapeutics
    December 1-2, 2011
    London, United Kingdom

    NEW Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society 2011 Asia Pacific Meeting (TERMIS-NA 2011)
    December 4-7, 2011
    Houston, United States

    Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.

    JOB OPPORTUNITIES

    Lab Technologist – Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

    Assistant Professor (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering)

    Field Applications Specialist – Cell Therapy (Medical) (Pall Corporation)

    Postdoctoral Researcher Biophysics of Cell Attachment to Biomaterials (Centre for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials)

    Postdoctoral Researcher (University of California – Irvine)

    Postdoctoral Fellow in Systems Microscopy of Cell Migration (Karolinska Institutet)

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