About this Research Topic
The physiology of cells and their environment (the extracellular matrix, ECM) are of particular interest to better understand the homeostasis in healthy tissues and how impairments occur in aging, pathogenesis, or progression of diseases. All cell types in our organism are located in complex environments that are also continuously subjected to a variety of biochemical and physical stimuli. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms, biophysical cues and signaling that govern cell behavior and ECM remodeling are of relevant interest.
There is a large collection of valuable techniques to describe cellular behavior and characterize the ECM which include Western blots, cell viability assays, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, animal models and in vitro 2D cell culture models have provided helpful insight for the comparison between healthy and diseased individuals. However, the in-depth characterization of 3D models for cell-ECM interaction, molecular composition, and tissue-specific elastic response remains in the focus of intense research.
In this Research Topic, we aim to explore novel, state-of-the-art techniques applied in the field in order to increase our knowledge in mechanobiological pathways and biochemical signaling that govern cell and ECM dynamics. The complementary studies of well-established standard techniques, emerging experimental approaches, and theoretical modeling and simulations will provide further understanding of the environment and the structural-functional niches involved in disease pathogenesis, regeneration, and repair. All those together will contribute to the development of new clinical therapeutic approaches.
This Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
• Extracellular matrix, hydrogels for cell-ECM interaction in 2D culture
• Bioprinting for substrate modulation and cell-ECM interactions in 3D models
• The physiological role of extracellular matrix in aging and/or pathogenesis, disease progression
• State-of-the-art techniques for cell and ECM characterization, including mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy, confocal imaging system
• New technology or methods developed to characterize cells-ECM interactions
• Theoretical modeling and simulations for physiological pathways
The Guest Editors of this Research Topic encourage all interested individuals and research groups to submit an abstract to this collection before submitting a manuscript. Abstract submission deadline: 15 September 2021.
There is a large collection of valuable techniques to describe cellular behavior and characterize the ECM which include Western blots, cell viability assays, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. In addition, animal models and in vitro 2D cell culture models have provided helpful insight for the comparison between healthy and diseased individuals. However, the in-depth characterization of 3D models for cell-ECM interaction, molecular composition, and tissue-specific elastic response remains in the focus of intense research.
In this Research Topic, we aim to explore novel, state-of-the-art techniques applied in the field in order to increase our knowledge in mechanobiological pathways and biochemical signaling that govern cell and ECM dynamics. The complementary studies of well-established standard techniques, emerging experimental approaches, and theoretical modeling and simulations will provide further understanding of the environment and the structural-functional niches involved in disease pathogenesis, regeneration, and repair. All those together will contribute to the development of new clinical therapeutic approaches.
This Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
• Extracellular matrix, hydrogels for cell-ECM interaction in 2D culture
• Bioprinting for substrate modulation and cell-ECM interactions in 3D models
• The physiological role of extracellular matrix in aging and/or pathogenesis, disease progression
• State-of-the-art techniques for cell and ECM characterization, including mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy, confocal imaging system
• New technology or methods developed to characterize cells-ECM interactions
• Theoretical modeling and simulations for physiological pathways
The Guest Editors of this Research Topic encourage all interested individuals and research groups to submit an abstract to this collection before submitting a manuscript. Abstract submission deadline: 15 September 2021.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
