Extracellular Matrix News Volume 3.46 | Nov 22 2012

Regulation of Endodermal Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells through Integrin-ECM Interactions
Scientists investigated the effect of hundreds of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein combinations and concentrations on differentiation of several human embryonic stem cell lines to definitive endoderm, an early embryonic cell population fated to give rise to internal organs such as the lung, liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestine. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Combinatorial On-Chip Study of Miniaturized 3D Porous Scaffolds Using a Patterned Superhydrophobic Platform
For the first time, an on-chip combinatorial study of 3D miniaturized porous scaffolds is proposed, using a patterned bioinspired superhydrophobic platform. On-chip porosity, pore size, and mechanical properties of scaffolds based on chitosan and alginate are assessed by adapting microcomputed tomography equipment and a dynamic mechanical analyzer, as well as cell response after 24 hours. [Small] Abstract

Hydrogels Derived from Central Nervous System Extracellular Matrix
The authors aimed to develop hydrogel forms of brain and spinal cord extracellular matrix (ECM) and compare the resulting biochemical composition, mechanical properties, and neurotrophic potential of a brain derived cell line to a non-central nervous system-ECM hydrogel, urinary bladder matrix. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Bone Grafts Engineered from Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Dynamic 3D-Environments
Adipose tissue derived stem cells-laden microcarriers are used as building blocks that self-assemble into macrotissues in a bottom-up approach. These bone grafts were compared with a classical top-down approach (scaffolds). This concept was compared with bone marrow derived stem cells as cell source. [Biomaterials] Abstract | Press Release

Regulation of Autophagy during ECM Detachment Is Linked to a Selective Inhibition of mTORC1 by PERK
Investigators uncovered that the kinase PERK rapidly promotes autophagy in extracellular matrix (ECM)-detached cells by activating AMP-activated protein kinase, resulting in downstream inhibition of mTORC1-p70^S6K signaling. [Oncogene] Abstract

Micro/Nanostructured Hyaluronic Acid Matrices with Tuned Swelling and Drug Release Properties
Hyaluronic acid hydrogels were structured in the form of porous monoliths by means of the ice-segregation-induced self-assembly method coupled with freeze drying. Physical and chemical parameters were explored in order to fine tune the microstructure and the incidence on both swelling and dissolution behavior in aqueous media. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

Artificial Extracellular Matrices Composed of Collagen I and High-Sulfated Hyaluronan Promote Phenotypic and Functional Modulation of Human Pro-Inflammatory M1 Macrophages
Researchers investigated whether pro-inflammatory macrophage functions are affected by immunomodulatory biomaterials based on artificial extracellular matrices (aECM). To address this, they tested the capacity of 2D-aECM consisting of collagen I and hyaluronan or sulfated derivatives of hyaluronan to affect functions of in vitro polarized human pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

3D Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Macroporous Photopolymerizable Hydrogel Scaffolds
Microenviromental factors are critical for guiding neural stem/progenitor cells differentiation and are thus important for neural tissue engineering. In this study, D-mannitol crystals were mixed with photocrosslinkable methacrylamide chitosan as a porogen to enhance pore size during hydrogel formation. [PLoS One]
Full Article

An Ovine In Vitro Model for Chondrocyte-Based Scaffold-Assisted Cartilage Grafts
Investigators evaluated the in vitro re-differentiation capacity of expanded ovine chondrocytes in biomechanically characterized polyglycolic acid/fibrin biomaterials for scaffold-assisted cartilage repair. [J Orthop Surg Res] Abstract | Full Article

Smart Scaffolding Aims to Rebuild Tissue from the Inside
Scientists at Rice and the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry received a $1.7 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a hydrogel that can be injected into a patient to form an active biological scaffold. Rice bioengineer Jeffrey Hartgerink and co-investigator Rena D’Souza of Baylor won the grant to continue their groundbreaking work on self-assembling, multidomain peptide hydrogels that not only physically support but also encourage the growth of specific kinds of tissues. [Rice University] Press Release

NeoStem Receives Notification of $1.2 Million NIH Grant Award for First Clinical Study of VSEL^TM Technology in Humans
NeoStem, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a two year grant totaling $1,221,854 for “Repair of Bone Defects with Human Autologous Pluripotent Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSEL)” from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This peer reviewed grant is to support a phase II investigation and first approved NIH clinical study of VSELs^TM in humans. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW 4th ICBE – International Conference on Biomolecular Engineering
January 13-16, 2013
Fort Lauderdale, United States

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Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering (Weizmann Institute of Science)

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Postdoctoral Position(s) – Nanomedicine/Bioengineering (Ian Wark Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position(s) – Nanotechnology, Scaffold Engineering, and Biomaterials (University of Michigan)

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