Division/Committee: [PMSE: Division of Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering]

Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are complex materials designed via multiscale networks that are central building blocks in living organisms. ECMs provide both structural support and analog information for overall organism function and more specifically cellular processes. The formation and remodeling of ECMs is a fundamental process in the life of humans, animals, and plants. While cells are typically considered the active parts of tissues since they migrate, proliferate and differentiate as well as synthesize and degrade ECM, there are many unknown roles the ECM plays, and we are only beginning to recognize the extensive impact of ECMs. From an engineering viewpoint, ECMs are also materials with exquisite properties that confer the capabilities of adaptation, self-repair and even information processing and storage. Although ECMs are critical for living materials, mimicking functions seen in natural tissues is extremely difficult, especially in synthetic polymer and macromolecular systems. Therefore, the symposium will cover current and future directions in natural and synthetic ECMs. The goal is to highlight natures ECM capabilities to inspire next generation ECMs.

Martina Delbianco

Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces

Appearances