Engineered Materials and the Cellular Microenvironment: a Strengthening Interface Between Cell Biology and Bioengineering

Overview

Journal Trends Cell Biol

Specialty Cell Biology

Date 2010 Oct 23

PMID 20965727

Citations 17

Authors

Colin K Choi

Mark T Breckenridge

Christopher S Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cells constantly probe and respond to a myriad of cues that are present in their local surroundings. The effects of soluble cues are relatively straightforward to manipulate, yet teasing apart how cells transduce signals from the extracellular matrix and neighboring cells has proven to be challenging due to the spatially and mechanically complex adhesive interactions. Over the years, advances in the engineering of biocompatible materials have enabled innovative ways to study adhesion-mediated cell functions, and numerous insights have elucidated the significance of the cellular microenvironment. Here, we highlight some of the major approaches and discuss the potential for future advancement.

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