Cell-Free 3D Scaffold with Two-Stage Delivery of miRNA-26a to Regenerate Critical-Sized Bone Defects
Researchers showed that a hyperbranched polymer with high microRNA (miRNA)-binding affinity and negligible cytotoxicity can self-assemble into nano-sized polyplexes with a ‘double-shell’ miRNA distribution and high transfection efficiency. These polyplexes are encapsulated in biodegradable microspheres to enable controllable two-stage (polyplexes and miRNA) delivery. [Nat Commun] Full Article|Press Release
Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Controls VEGF Signaling and Processing in Endothelial Cells
Scientists hypothesized that extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness modifies vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF)-cell-matrix tethering leading to altered VEGF processing and signaling. The analyzed VEGF binding, internalization, and signaling as a function of substrate stiffness in endothelial cells cultured on fibronectin linked polyacrylamide gels. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract
Design Principles for Therapeutic Angiogenic Materials
The authors leverage knowledge of extracellular matrix (ECM) properties to derive design rules for engineering pro-angiogenic materials. They propose that pro-angiogenic materials should be biomimetic, incorporate angiogenic factors and mimic cooperative interactions between growth factors and the ECM. [Nat Rev Mater] Full Article
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Center Will Develop Consistent Manufacturing Processes for Cell-Based Therapies
A $15.7 million grant from the Marcus Foundation has helped launch a new Georgia Institute of Technology research center that will develop processes and techniques for ensuring the consistent, low-cost, large-scale manufacture of high-quality living cells used in cell-based therapies. The therapies will be used for a variety of disorders such as cancer, lung fibrosis, autism, neuro-degenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders and spinal-cord injury – as well as in regenerative medicine. [Georgia Institute of Technology] Press Release
FAU Receives NIH Grant to Develop Esophageal Cancer Stent
A bioengineer at Florida Atlantic University has received a $141,743 grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a novel biodegradable polymer stent that will be designed to prevent complications while at the same time serving as a drug delivery system for esophageal cancer therapy. [Florida Atlantic University] Press Release
Cells from Cow Knee Joints Used to Grow New Cartilage Tissue in Laboratory
In an effort to develop a method for cartilage tissue engineering, researchers at Umeå University successfully used cartilage cells from cow knee joints. By creating a successful method with conditions conducive to growing healthy cartilage tissue, the findings could help lead to a new treatment cure for osteoarthritis using stem cell-based tissue engineering. [Umeå University] Press Release
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