Artificial Extracellular Matrix
The design of artificial extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in tissue engineering because artificial ECM regulates cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation. Artificial ECMs have several functions in tissue engineering, including provision of cell-adhesive substrate, control of three-dimensional tissue structure, and presentation of growth factors, cell-adhesion signals, and mechanical signals. Design criteria for artificial ECMs vary considerably depending on the type of the engineered tissue(Kim et al, Progress in Polymer Science 36 #2 238-268 (2011)
Recent Journal Articles
2/4/2011
Design of artificial extracellular matrices for tissue engineering Review Article
(238-268) Progress in Polymer Science 36 #2 (2011)
Kim reviews the materials and methods that have been used in fabrication of artificial artificial extracellular matrix for engineering of specific tissues, including liver, cartilage, bone, and skin. This article also reviews artificial ECMs used for modulation of stem cell behaviors for tissue engineering applications. (RDC 2/9/2011)