nascent matrix

Almost every cell in the body is surrounded by extracellular matrix (ECM), which influences cell function and fate. Our recent studies have shown that within engineered microenvironments, newly secreted (nascent) ECM alters cell-biomaterial interactions. Building upon these observations, we are currently probing several questions related to nascent matrix composition and biophysics.

(i) how does nascent ECM alter a cell's perception of an engineered microenvironment and how does the biomaterial affect nascent matrix signals?

(ii) how can we harness nascent ECM towards regenerative applications such as tissue repair and disease modeling?

Relevant publications:

Loebel, C.*; Kwon, M.*; Wang, C.; Han, L.; Mauck, R.L.; Burdick, J.A. (2020) Metabolic labeling to probe temporal changes in the pericellular matrix at the cell-hydrogel interface. Advanced Functional Materials, in press *equal contribution

Loebel, C.; Mauck, R.L.; and Burdick, J.A. (2019) Local nascent protein deposition and remodeling guide mesenchymal stromal cell mechano-sensing and fate in three-dimensional hydrogels. Nature Materials, 18, 883-891.

Illustration: Nascent protein deposition (grey) by chondrocytes (left) and stromal cells (right) and structural similarity with specific proteins (collagents and fibronectin) within 3D hydrogels (scale bars 20 µm).

↑Back to Top