Extracellular Matrix News Volume 2.15 | Apr 21 2011

Researchers Inject Nanofiber Spheres Carrying Cells into Wounds to Grow Tissue
For the first time, scientists have made star-shaped, biodegradable polymers that can self-assemble into hollow, nanofiber spheres, and when the spheres are injected with cells into wounds, these spheres biodegrade, but the cells live on to form new tissue. [Press release from the University of Michigan discussing online prepublication in Nature Materials]

Nanofibrous Hollow Microspheres Self-Assembled from Star-Shaped Polymers as Injectable Cell Carriers for Knee Repair
The nanofibrous hollow microspheres, integrating the extracellular-matrix-mimicking architecture with a highly porous injectable form, were shown to efficiently accommodate cells and enhance cartilage regeneration, compared with control microspheres. [Nat Mater]

MicroRNA-18 and -19 Regulate CTGF and TSP-1 Expression in Age-Related Heart Failure
Data support a role for cardiomyocyte-derived miR-18/19 during cardiac aging, in the fine-tuning of cardiac extracellular matrix protein levels. [Aging Cell]

The Role of Substratum Compliance of Hydrogels on Vascular Endothelial Cell Behavior
The impact of substratum compliance on the modulation of cell behaviors of several human primary endothelial cell types, representing different anatomic sites and differentiation states in vivo, were investigated. [Biomaterials]

Aligned Hybrid Silk Scaffold for Enhanced Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Ligament Fibroblasts
It has been shown in previous studies that cells were guided to align along the topographical alignment of the seeding substrate and produced enhanced amounts of oriented extracellular matrix. In this study, researchers aimed to apply this concept to a three-dimensional full silk fibroin (SF) hybrid scaffold system, which comprised of knitted SF and aligned SF electrospun fibers, for ligament tissue engineering applications. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods]

Regional Differences in the Expression of Laminin Isoforms During Mouse Neural Tube Development
Findings reveal major differences in basement composition along the body axis, with the rostral neural tube (at mandibular arch and heart levels) exhibiting many distinct laminin variants, while the lumbar level where the neural tube is just closing shows a much simpler laminin profile. [Matrix Biol]

A Link Between Smooth Muscle Cell Death and Extracellular Matrix Degradation During Vascular Atrophy
Researchers hypothesized that matrix loss would be linked to smooth muscle cell death, but the factors and mechanisms involved are not known. [J Vasc Surg]

Microfluidic Assay of Endothelial Cell Migration in 3D Interpenetrating Polymer Semi-Network HA-Collagen Hydrogel
Researchers report a microfluidic assay of endothelial cell sprouting and migration into an interpenetrating polymer semi-network HA-Collagen hydrogel as extracellular matrix providing an enhanced in vivo mimicking 3D microenvironment to cells. [Biomed Microdevices]

Mechanical Evaluation of Decellularized Porcine Thoracic Aorta
The effects of different decellularization protocols on the (passive) mechanical properties of the resulted porcine aortic extracellular matrix were evaluated. [J Surg Res]

Regulation of Osteogenic and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in PEG-ECM Hydrogels
The microenvironments created by exogenous extracellular matrix (ECM) components seem to modulate the fate of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. [Cell Tissue Res]

Grooved Surface Topography Alters Matrix-Metalloproteinase Production by Human Fibroblasts
The aim of this project was to determine if culturing fibroblasts on grooved topography altered collagen deposition or matrix-metalloproteinase production. [Biomed Mater]

King’s Set to Join Scientific Powerhouse
King’s College London and Imperial College London are set to join the partners behind the world-leading medical research institute: the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation. [King’s College London Press Release]

Sanofi-aventis Enters into Collaboration Agreement with Stanford University Bio-X to Focus on Early-Stage Scientific Research
Sanofi-aventis announced that it has entered into a multi-year research collaboration agreement through the Stanford University Bio-X program that supports, organizes, and facilitates interdisciplinary, collaborative and innovative research projects in the early phases of development. [PR Newswire]

Biomedical Capacity Grows Through INBRE
Four researchers affiliated with the Delaware IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program, which is aimed at building the state’s biomedical research capacity, have been awarded grants for pilot projects. One researcher, Takeshi Tsuda, pediatric cardiologist at Nemours/A. I. duPont Hospital for Children, will conduct research on extracellular matrix remodeling and human heart failure. [University of Delaware Press Release]

Biomerix Awarded Two Device Licenses by Health Canada
Biomerix Corporation announced it has received two Class III Medical Device Licenses by Health Canada for its REVIVE and ASSURE Hernia Repair Meshes. [Biomerix Corporation Press Release]

Organogenesis, Life Sciences Center Break Ground on World’s Largest Automated Living Cell Manufacturing Plant
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister joined state and local officials, Organogenesis, Inc. President & CEO Geoff MacKay and employees to celebrate the start of construction of 275 Dan Road. Upon completion in 2013, the company expects the facility to be the world’s largest automated living cell manufacturing plant. [Organogenesis, Inc. Press Release]

Several Cancers Underrepresented in Clinical Trials
Several cancers with a high burden of disease are not receiving the clinical trial investment they require, according to a University of Sydney study. [University of Sydney Press Release]

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)

NEW The World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
May 8-11, 2011
Toronto, Canada

NEW Inaugural BioProcessing, Biologics & Biotherapeutics Congress
July 20-21, 2011
Edinburgh, Scotland

NEW 4th Stem Cells Europe
July 20-21, 2011
Edinburgh, Scotland

NEW The EMBO Meeting 2011
September 10-13, 2011
Vienna, Austria

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

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

Quality Assurance Manager – Program in Children’s Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Smooth Muscle Biology (Boston University Medical School)

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

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