Extracellular Matrix News Volume 6.47 | Dec 3 2015

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    Extracellular Matrix News 6.47 December 3, 2015

    Extracellular Matrix News

         In this issue: Publications | Reviews | Industry News | Policy News | Events | Jobs
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    TOP STORY
    A Better Way to Change the Fate of Stem Cells
    Researchers have developed a new, more precise way to control the differentiation of stem cells into bone cells. This new technique has promising applications in the realm of bone regeneration, growth and healing. [Press release from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences discussing online prepublication in Nature Materials] Press Release | Abstract
    Learn more about our cell attachment substrates and matrices for pluripotent stem cell research.

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    Stress-Stiffening-Mediated Stem-Cell Commitment Switch in Soft Responsive Hydrogels
    Researchers showed that the commitment and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in physiologically soft, fully synthetic polyisocyanopeptide-based three-dimensional matrices that mimic the stiffness of adult stem cell niches and show biopolymer-like stress stiffening, can be readily switched from adipogenesis to osteogenesis by changing only the onset of stress stiffening. [Nat Mater] Abstract

    Nascent Integrin Adhesions Form on All Matrix Rigidities after Integrin Activation
    The authors report that ~100-nm clusters of ~50 β3-activated integrins form very early adhesions under a wide variety of conditions on RGD surfaces. These adhesions form similarly on fluid and rigid substrates, but most adhesions are transient on rigid substrates. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

    Preservation of Human Limbal Epithelial Progenitor Cells on Carbodiimide Cross-Linked Amniotic Membrane via Integrin-Linked Kinase-Mediated Wnt Activation
    Human limbal epithelial (HLE) cells were cultured on dishes (HLE/dish), denuded amniotic membrane (HLE/DAM) or EDC/NHS cross-linked DAM (CLDAM) (HLE/CLDAM). Compared with HLE/dish or HLE/DAM cultures, HLE/CLDAM cultures showed greater BrdU retention and colony formation efficiency and expressed higher levels of p63, ABCG2, integrin β1, and integrin-linked kinase. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

    Injectable and Thermosensitive Soluble Extracellular Matrix and Methylcellulose Hydrogels for Stem Cell Delivery in Skin Wounds
    Scientists report a thermosensitive hydrogel composed of soluble extracellular matrix (sECM) and methylcellulose (MC) for injectable stem cell delivery. The sECM was prepared by denaturing solid ECM extracted from human adipose tissue and then blended with a MC solution. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

    iTRAQ Proteomic Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Aortic Valve Disease
    Researchers demonstrated a differential extracellular matrix (ECM) protein pattern in individuals with aortic stenosis (AS), therefore supporting previous evidence of a dynamic ECM remodeling in human aortic valves during AS development. [Sci Rep] Full Article

    A Composite Scaffold of MSC Affinity Peptide-Modified Demineralized Bone Matrix Particles and Chitosan Hydrogel for Cartilage Regeneration
    Scientists constructed a composite scaffold combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) E7 affinity peptide-modified demineralized bone matrix particles and chitosan hydrogel for cartilage engineering. This solid-supported composite scaffold exhibited appropriate porosity, which provided a 3D microenvironment that supports cell adhesion and proliferation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

    Chondrogenic Differentiation Could Be Induced by Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds without Exogenous Growth Factor
    Researchers aimed to investigate whether autologous bone mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix (aBMSC-dECM) scaffolds could promote chondrogenic differentiation without exogenous growth factors. BMSCs were seeded on aBMSC-dECM scaffolds and cultured in vitro with or without TGF-β3. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

    Native Extracellular Matrix Preserves Mesenchymal Stem Cell “Stemness” and Differentiation Potential under Serum-Free Culture Conditions
    The authors compared colony-forming ability and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells cultured on extracellular matrix made by bone marrow cells with a commercially available matrix (CELLstart™) and tissue culture plastic under serum-free conditions. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

    Free Sample: TeSR™2 Defined, Feeder-Free and Xeno-Free Human ES and iPS Cell Medium

     
    REVIEWS
    Mechanical Control of Cardiac Myofibroblasts
    The authors discuss how mechanical factors, such as matrix stiffness and strain, are feeding back and cooperate with cytokine signals to drive myofibroblast activation. They elaborate on the importance of considering the mechanical boundary conditions in the heart to generate better cell culture models for mechanistic studies of cardiac fibroblast function. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

    Mechanosensitive Components of Integrin Adhesions: Role of Vinculin
    Investigators discuss the role of vinculin in vivo and its place in health and disease; summarize the proposed mechanisms by which vinculin is recruited to and activated at integrin-extracellular matrix adhesions; and discuss recent findings that place vinculin as the major force sensing and transmitting component of cell–matrix adhesion complexes. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

    Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the Extracellular Matrix research field.

     
    INDUSTRY NEWS
    TSRI Researchers Win $2.8 Million to Unravel Cell Basics Linked to Disease
    Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) are on a mission to explore the nuclear lamina in new ways with the support of a grant of more than $2.8 million from the National Institutes of Health Common Fund. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

    Researchers 3D Print ‘Living’ Blood Vessels
    Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are recapitulating the cardiovascular system using an emerging technology: 3D bioprinting. Using a 3D printer and a “bio-ink” made of materials compatible with the human body, they have successfully printed structures with living cells and biomaterials. [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory] Press Release | Video

    Growing Stem Cells Faster on Seaweed
    Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT have identified seaweed from Chile as a particularly efficient source of nutrients for the expansion of pluripotent stem cells. Over the past few years, they have developed a controlled and documented production process for alginate, the seaweed’s supporting structure. [Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft] Press Release

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    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 The Stem Cell Niche 2016
    May 22-26, 2016
    Hillerod, Denmark

    Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the Extracellular Matrix community.

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW PhD Position – Cancer Research and Wound Healing (Technion, Israel Institute of Technology)

    NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cell Mechanobiology (Washington University in St. Louis)

    NEW Research Associate – Cell Biology/Biophysics (University College London)

    Tenure Track – Biomaterials for Cell and Tissue Engineering (Tampere University of Technology)

    Postdoctoral Position – Scaffold Design & Drug/Gene Delivery for Neural Tissue Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

    Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Engineering Research (Nanyang Technological University)

    Postdoctoral Position – hPSC-Derived Cardiomyocyte Grafts in Injured Hearts (University Health Network)

    Faculty Position – Neuromuscular Bioengineering (Northwestern University)

    Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (Northwestern University)

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Ex Vivo Tumor Organoid Models (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)


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