Extracellular Matrix News 7.30 August 4, 2016 | |
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TOP STORYStem Cells Engineered to Grow Cartilage, Fight Inflammation With a goal of treating worn, arthritic hips without extensive surgery to replace them, scientists have programmed stem cells to grow new cartilage on a 3-D template shaped like the ball of a hip joint. What’s more, using gene therapy, they have activated the new cartilage to release anti-inflammatory molecules to fend off a return of arthritis. [Press release from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discussing online prepublication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences] Press Release | Full Article | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Investigators have developed a novel artificial pancreas encapsulation platform for the treatment of diabetes that is based on solubilized whole porcine pancreatic extracellular matrix. These unique capsules were used to entrap human liver cells and mesenchymal stem cells that were induced to differentiate into glucose-regulated insulin-producing cells. [J Control Release] Abstract A Three-Dimensional Collagen Scaffold Cell Culture System for Screening Anti-Glioma Therapeutics Since most preclinical anti-glioma drug tests still rely on conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture, the authors established a collagen scaffold for 3D glioma cell culture. Glioma cells cultured on these 3D scaffolds showed greater degree of dedifferentiation and quiescence than cells in 2D culture. [Oncotarget] Full Article Researchers demonstrated that, by rationally designing ligands, stem cell response can be efficiently guided towards the osteogenic phenotype: In vitro, PTF-functionalized surfaces support human mesenchymal stem cells adhesion, with higher cell area and formation of focal contacts, expression of the integrin receptor α5β1 and the osteogenic marker Runx2, and deposition a highly mineralized matrix, reaching values of mineralization comparable to fibronectin. [Acta Biomater] Abstract The authors optimized a silk-based hydrogel platform containing cardiac tissue-derived extracellular matrix (cECM). These silk-cECM hydrogels have tunable mechanical properties, as well as rate-controllable hydrogel stiffening over time. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract Investigators evaluated a novel approach to decellularizing porcine adipose tissue while preserving its 3-D architecture. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract The extracellular subpopulation of syntaxin-4, extruded in response to the induction of differentiation or apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells, was detected. Using a tetracycline-repressive transcriptional system and clonal mammary epithelial cells, SCp2, scientists found that the expression of cell surface syntaxin-4 elicits epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like cell behaviors. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Hybrid hydrogels were generated by coupling photo-cross-linkable methacrylated hyaluronic acid with selected cartilaginous extracellular matrix molecules including chondroitin sulfate and type I collagen, and the authors studied the decoupled function of these cues in regulating the initial chondrogenesis, subsequent hypertrophy, and tissue mineralization by hMSCs. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract Quantification of Fibronectin as a Method to Assess Ex Vivo Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Researchers aimed to quantify fibronectin remodeling in ex vivo models of cartilage and cancer. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against the C-terminus of fibronectin was developed. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSThere is accumulating evidence suggesting that extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules play an important role in promoting growth factor access and activity in the stem cell niche. In the adult brain neurogenic zone, where neural stem cells reside, there exist specialized ECM structures, which the author has named fractones. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSFibroStatin announced the development of a breakthrough treatment to inhibit the EMT, a fundamental underlying pathology active in drug-resistant invasive cancer and organ fibrosis. [FibroStatin (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release £1.2 Million for Injectable Stem-Cell Carrying Microspheres to Regenerate Bones The University of Nottingham has secured £1.2 million to develop injectable stem cell-carrying materials to treat and prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis and other bone-thinning diseases. [University of Nottingham] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSAustralian Government Orders Science Agency to Pull Back on Climate Job Cuts Australia’s government has ordered its national science agency to re-prioritize basic climate research — six months after the organization unveiled controversial plans to slash jobs in the sector. But the intervention may have come too late to salvage damage already caused, researchers say. [Nature News] Editorial Russian Scientists Bracing for Massive Job Losses Russia’s scientific community is reeling from news that the government plans to fire about 10,000 researchers over the next three years. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Scientists Seek Influence on ‘Brexit Ministry’ Worried at the prospect of losing access to EU funding and collaborations, scientific societies have fired off numerous letters asking the government to keep their country in the EU’s research system, and warning of damage already caused by Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial Brain Implants and Gene-Editing Enhancements Worry US Public Most people in the United States are more worried than enthusiastic about the prospect of scientific advances such as gene editing and brain-chip implants, a survey of thousands suggests. [Nature News] Editorial | Poll Major Review Calls Time on ‘Gaming’ in UK Research Assessment The United Kingdom’s mammoth periodic audit of its research is set for a shake-up that could change the way universities hire academics – and might also encourage scientists to spend more time on public engagement. [Nature News] Editorial Antibiotics Funding Splurge Gets Mixed Reception Antibiotics researchers are set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from a new funding stream — but not everyone thinks the cash is being directed to the right place. [Nature News] Editorial Young Blood Antiaging Trial Raises Questions A startup company has launched the first clinical trial in the United States to test the antiaging benefits of young blood in relatively healthy people. But there’s a big caveat: It’s a pay-to-participate trial, a type that has raised ethical concerns before, most recently in the stem cell field. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Dispute over President’s Age Tears Pasteur Institute Apart Is 65 too old to stay at the helm of a major research center? That question is sowing division at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Science has learned, and has plunged the 128-year-old institute, home to 1200 scientists and the place where HIV was first isolated, into a leadership crisis. [ScienceInsider] Editorial U.S. Mental Health Institute Puts Champion of Basic Science at the Helm Up to now, Joshua Gordon has split his career between working with patients with mental illness and mice designed to mimic that illness. But this fall, the neuroscientist and psychiatrist will take control of the $1.5 billion U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Press Release
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EVENTSNEW World Stem Cell Summit 2016 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the extracellular matrix community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESPostdoctoral Scientist – Liver Research (Foundation for Liver Research) Postdoctoral Positions – Regenerative Engineering (The University of Queensland) Faculty Positions – Cell Biology and Physiology (Washington University School of Medicine) Postdoctoral Positions – Vascular Biology and Metabolism (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Postdoctoral Position – Angiogenesis, Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO) Postdoctoral Position – Extracellular Matrix Genes during Aging (ETH Zurich) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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