Launch of extracellular matrix combinatorial library

The library contains around 300 biomimetics of Fibronectin, Vitronectin, Laminin and Collagen, for coating plates or creating 3D culture scaffolds.

Amsbio claims the library will provide a powerful tool for identifying the cellular adhesion profile of cell line or tumour against the widest commercially available collection of cell surface receptor binding peptide motifs.

The extracellular microenvironment, defined by biochemical and physical cues, is a deciding factor in a wide range of cellular processes not confined solely to oncology.

These include cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and expression of phenotype-specific functions.

Being able to engineer the ECM microenvironment provides clear benefits in studies of cell and tissue engineering and related applications.

Currently existing technology offers simple (and merely adequate) environments that facilitate basic cell processes such as adhesion.

The simple presentation of motifs involved in cell adhesion is not optimal for controlling more integrated processes. Crosstalk among signalling pathways acts synergistically to enhance cellular responses such as cell adhesion and/or proliferation.

A recent study showed that a combination of extracellular matrix derived peptides presented on a surface may enhance cell adhesion strength and focal adhesion assembly.

This combinatorial presentation of ECM peptides on cell growth surfaces may also promote elevated proliferation rates of primary or stem cells.