Extracellular Matrix News 9.06 February 15, 2018 | |
| |
TOP STORYCombinatorial Hydrogels with Biochemical Gradients for Screening 3D Cellular Microenvironments A combinatorial hydrogel platform was developed that uses light-mediated thiol-norbornene chemistry to encapsulate cells within hydrogels with biochemical gradients made by spatially varied light exposure. Mesenchymal stem cells were photoencapsulated in norbornene-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogels functionalized with gradients of peptides that mimic cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, either as single or orthogonal gradients. [Nat Commun] Full Article | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Researchers discovered a unique strategy to stabilize and sequester recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) by enhancing its molecular interactions with hyaluronic acid. Their results were validated in an in vivo rat ectopic model with rhBMP-2 loaded hydrogels, which demonstrated superior bone formation with acidic hydrogel as compared to the neutral counterpart. [Biomaterials] Abstract The authors report on the development of a hydrogel that incorporates photoswitchable crosslinkers, which can reversibly alter their stiffness upon irradiation with the appropriate wavelength of light. They further report the response of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells on these hydrogels that were stiffened systematically by irradiation with blue light. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract Porous Heat-Treated Polyacrylonitrile Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Investigators report that Black Orlon can be easily made into 3D cryogel scaffolds with porous structures, using succinonitrile as a porogen. The cryogels possess a porous morphology, similar to bone tissue. The prepared scaffolds showed strong osteoconductive activity, providing excellent support for the adhesion, proliferation and mitochondrial activity of human bone-derived cells. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract By encapsulating human MSCs (hMSCs) into protein binding peptide (PBP)-functionalized hydrogels, and culturing them in protein-free maintenance media, researchers demonstrated that these PBPs not only actively recruit targeted ECM proteins as they are secreted from hMSCs, but retain them to much higher levels compared to non-functionalized gels. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract An affinity-based hydrogel delivery system provided sustained-release of proteins, thereby extending the efficacy of such therapies. The affinity-based hydrogel was constructed using a novel polymer, heparin-poloxamer, as a temperature-sensitive bulk matrix and decellular spinal cord extracellular matrix as an affinity depot of drug. [Int J Nanomedicine] Full Article Based on the obtained empirical linear formula from the first experimental feedback loop, scientists defined the most appropriate design constraints and optimized the printing process to improve the geometrical fidelity. The effectiveness of iterative feedback bio-printing was verified from the second run using gelatin/alginate hydrogel scaffolds laden with C3A cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Investigators showed the effect of exogenous secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) inhibition/induction on ECM and mitochondrial proteins expression and on the differentiation of C2C12 cells. Results indicated that the addition of recombinant SPARC protein (rSPARC) in cell culture medium increased the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts and myogenin expression during the myotube formation. [PLoS One] Full Article A thermosensitive butane diisocyanate (BDI)-collagen hydrogel (BC hydrogel) was designed as injectable cell delivery carrier of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) for tendon tissue engineering. Researchers functionalized the BDI hydrogel with the addition of 20% (v/v) collagen I gel to obtain the thermosensitive BC hydrogel, which was then seeded with TSPCs derived from human Achilles tendons. [Biomed Mater] Abstract | Full Article | |
| |
REVIEWSTissue Engineering 3D Neurovascular Units: A Biomaterials and Bioprinting Perspective The authors review how the use of novel biomaterials to mimic the mechanical and functional cues of the ECM, coupled with precisely layered deposition of the different cells of the neurovascular unit through 3D bioprinting, is revolutionizing the study of neurovascular function and dysfunction. [Trends Biotechnol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field. | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSOrthofix Announces Initiation of Enrollment in Rotator Cuff Repair Study Orthofix International N.V. announced that enrollment has begun in a study that will evaluate the use of pulsed electromagnetic field technology for rotator cuff repair. This study will assess the efficacy and safety of the company’s RCStim™ device as an adjunctive treatment to surgical repair of full thickness rotator cuff tears. [Orthofix International N.V.] Press Release Cancer Research UK and Bicycle Therapeutics announced that the first patient has been dosed in their Phase I/IIa trial evaluating BT1718 in patients with advanced solid tumors. BT1718 is a first-in-class bicycle toxin conjugate being developed by Bicycle Therapeutics that targets membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase, which has been shown to be highly expressed in solid tumors. [Bicycle Therapeutics] Press Release Royal Biologics announced the launch of their new amniotic stem cell product. Amnio-Maxx™ is a stem cell product derived from human amniotic placental tissue and will be available in two forms, liquid amnion and dehydrated dual layer patches. [Royal Biologics (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSTrump’s Science Advisor, Age 31, Has a Political Science Degree A job that’s been held by some of the nation’s top scientists is now occupied by a 31-year-old politics major from Princeton University. And it’s unlikely to change soon, observers say, leaving President Trump without a science advisor as the administration wrestles with a severe outbreak of the flu, lead-poisoned drinking water and record-breaking disasters that many scientists say are sharpened by rising temperatures. [Scientific American] Editorial Few UK Universities Have Adopted Rules Against Impact-Factor Abuse Institutions have made little progress against the misuse of research metrics when hiring and promoting academics. [Nature News] Editorial Researchers Debate Whether Journals Should Publish Signed Peer Reviews Scientific journals should start routinely publishing the text of peer reviews for each paper they accept, said attendees at a meeting last week of scientists, academic publishers, and funding organizations. But there was little consensus on whether reviewers should have to publicly sign their critiques, which traditionally are accessible only to editors and authors. [ScienceInsider] Editorial NIH Stays Flat, Absorbs Three Institutes in President’s 2019 Budget Proposal Biomedical research funding was one of the budget lines saved from cuts by last-minute adjustments to President Donald Trump’s administration’s 2019 budget proposal. Still, advocates say they had hoped for more. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW FEBS: Extracellular Matrix: Cell Regulation, Epigenetics and Modeling 2018 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Lectureship – Stem Cell Biology (University of Edinburgh) NEW Senior Stem Cell Scientist – 3D Tissue Engineering (VitroLabs Inc) Postdoctoral/Research Fellow – Spinal Cord Injury Research (Nanyang Technological University) Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University) Executive Director – Bioengineering and Bioscience (Georgia Institute of Technology) Locum Associate or Senior Editor – Nature Biomedical Engineering (Springer Nature) Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Polytechnique Montreal) Scientist – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Moderna Therapeutics) Faculty Positions – Biomedical Research (Tongji University School of Medicine) Professorship – Stem Cells in Pancreas Development and Disease (Technischen Universität Dresden) Teaching Faculty Position – Biomedical Engineering (University of California, Davis) Postdoctoral Position – Cardiac Fibrosis (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
| |
Have we missed an important article or publication in Extracellular Matrix News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here. | |
|