MSCMP 3735 - EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX IN TISSUE BIOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important structural and signaling component of all tissues. It plays a defining role in how differentiated cells and tissues respond to homeostatic signals, tissue regeneration, response to inflammation, and wound healing. Indeed one can generalize and state that there is no aspect of the biology or function of any given tissue in which ECM does not play an important role. The objective of the proposed course is to bring to students the knowledge of fundamental aspects of ECM, its importance for tissue function and its potential use in bioengineering applications. The course will start by providing information about structure and gene expression regulation of the main protein and glycosaminoglycan components of ECM. This will be followed by lectures describing the mechanisms by which ECM components interact with their receptors (integrins) and the intracellular signaling cascades and multiple protein allosteric interactions mediating the transmission of the signal from integrins to multiple intracellular targets affecting cell proliferation, function and cell-cell communication. TGF-beta is an important regulator of ECM synthesis and a special lecture will be devoted to gene regulation of ecm components and the role of TGF-beta. Subsequent lectures will focus on histologic techniques for visualization of ECM and specific tissue examples in which ECM changes define a particular biological model. ECM is known to be remodeled early in liver regeneration and re-synthesized at the end of the regenerative process. ECM signaling is defining the regulation of liver size and termination of regeneration. This will provide an example to illustrate the multifaceted aspects of ecm and cell interaction in a well-known model of tissue biology. Specific targeted lectures will also be given on ECM in wound healing, and repair of tissue in central nervous system, bone and cartilage. ECM is important as a potential barrier for cancer invasion. The mechanisms by which cells invade ECM will be examined in the context of cancer and also in the context of organ building and tissue morphogenesis in embryonic development. The cellular approaches utilizing ECM in bioengineering and tissue reconstruction will be also presented. These will include preparation of decellularized organs (a technique currently applied to liver with partial success in cell recolonization); functions of hyaluronic acid in tissue reconstruction and aspects of its signaling; ECM in vascular reconstruction, and biology of joints; ECM in muscle biology and reconstruction. The course is addressed to graduate students of the interdisciplinary biomedical science program of the school of medicine as well as the bioengineering graduate program. We are expecting a roughly equal proportion of students from those two groups in a class of 20 students. Even though both groups of students are highly sophisticated, particular attention will be given to ensure that the differences in backgrounds do not interfere with assimilation of the fundamental concepts imparted from the lectures. It is also anticipated that some of the concepts to will be presented will be summaries of a vast amount material of biomedical literature. To facilitate full development of lectures and topics which chose a format of 1.5 hours per lecture, to give the lecturers the opportunity of covering all relevant issues in proper depth. To our knowledge, there is no comparable course fully dedicated to ECM biology and bioengineering applications in either the school of medicine or the bioengineering curriculum. It should also be noted that the reviewers of the Cater Training grant noticed the absence of such a course and expressed a desire to have one developed. We believe this course will be important in generating an interest and a depth of knowledge in issues related to matrix biology as well as support the mission of the cater training grand.
Academic Career: Graduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: Grad LG/SNC Basis

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