Extracellular Matrix News Volume 5.14 | Apr 17 2014

Micromolded Gelatin Hydrogels for Extended Culture of Engineered Cardiac Tissues
Because collagen is the primary extracellular matrix protein in the heart, the authors hypothesized that micromolded gelatin hydrogel substrates tuned to mimic the elastic modulus of the heart would extend the lifetime of engineered cardiac tissues by better matching the native chemical and mechanical microenvironment. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Culture Dimensionality Influences the Resistance of Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells to Multikinase Inhibitors
Scientists studied the effects of substrate properties including elasticity, dimensionality and matrix composition on the response of glioblastoma stem-like cells to chemotherapeutic agents. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Endothelial Cells Enhance the In Vivo Bone-Forming Ability of Osteogenic Cell Sheets
Monoculture osteogenic cell sheets (CSs) were stacked on top of homotypic or heterotypic CSs, and subcutaneously implanted in the dorsal flap of nude mice for seven days. The implants showed mineralized tissue formation under both conditions. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Matrix Rigidity-Modulated Cardiovascular Organoid Formation from Embryoid Bodies
Using collagen-conjugated polyacrylamide hydrogels with controlled elastic moduli, investigators discovered that cellular organization in a form of vascularized cardiac muscle sheet was maximal on the gel with the stiffness similar to cardiac muscle. [PLoS One] Full Article

Dual Contribution of MAPK and PI3K in Epidermal Growth Factor-Induced Destabilization of Thyroid Follicular Integrity and Invasion of Cells into Extracellular Matrix
Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular-regulated kinase kinase inhibition by U0126 only partially antagonized epidermal growth factor/serum-induced cell migration from the basal follicular surface into the matrix. Combined treatment with U0126 and LY294002, a phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) blocker, was necessary to abolish migration. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Ultrafine Fibrous Gelatin Scaffolds with Deep Cell Infiltration Mimicking 3D ECMs for Soft Tissue Repair
Ultrafine fibrous scaffolds with deep cell infiltration and sufficient water stability have been developed from gelatin, aiming to mimic the extracellular matrices (ECMs) as three dimensional (3D) stromas for soft tissue repair. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

Regeneration of Aplysia Bag Cell Neurons Is Synergistically Enhanced by Substrate-Bound Hemolymph Proteins and Laminin
The authors investigated Aplysia hemolymph as a source of endogenous factors to promote regeneration of bag cell neurons. They describe a novel synergistic effect between substrate-bound hemolymph proteins and laminin. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article

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Akron Biotech Awarded SBIR Grant for Development of Novel Method to Isolate Adipose Derived Stem Cells
Akron Biotech announced it was awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Award from the National Institutes of Health to develop enzyme-based formulations for the isolation of stem cells from various tissues. The Phase I project proposes an alternative to develop and use optimal formulations of a family of novel engineered enzymes capable of catalyzing the degradation of virtually all extracellular matrix components, with the goal of liberating viable stem cells with good and stable proliferative capabilities. [Akron Biotech]
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PhD Position – Patterned Biomaterial Degradation to Guide Cell Response, Extracellular Matrix Deposition and In Vivo Tissue Regeneration (Universitaetsmedizin Berlin)

Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular RNA Bioinformatics and Biology (University of California, Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Signaling Mechanisms of GPCRs and Wnts and Their In Vivo Functions (Yale University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Biology, Protein Trafficking, Kidney Physiology (Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Macromolecule Stabilization (University of Minnesota)

Postdoctoral Position – Therapeutic Advantages of the Combined Use of Scaffold and Cells for Orthopedic Applications (Bone Therapeutics S.A.)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Extracellular Microenvironment in Cancer (Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

PhD Position – 3D Structured Self-Assembled Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering (TU Delft)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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