Extracellular matrix micropatterning technology for whole cell cryogenic electron microscopy studies

Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy Nanostructural Study of Shed Microparticles

Microparticles (MPs) are sub-micron membrane vesicles (100-1000 nm) shed from normal and pathologic cells due to stimulation or apoptosis. MPs can be found in the peripheral blood circulation of healthy individuals, whereas elevated concentrations are found in pregnancy and in a variety of diseases. Also, MPs participate in physiological processes, e.g., coagulation, inflammation, and angiogene...

Gum Tragacanth Gels as a New Supporting Matrix for Immobilization of Whole-Cell

We introduce a new smooth, non-toxic, biocompatible method for cross-linking of gum tragacanth (GT), a polysaccharide of natural origin, in order to serve as a new supporting matrix for immobilization systems.  The modified gum is used as a matrix for the catalysis of the conversion of benzyl penicillin to 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) by means of Escherichia coli ATCC11105 with penicill...

Ultrastructural Visualization of Chondrocytes Extracellular Matrix Distribution by Using Electron Microscopy

The limited healing capability of articular cartilage has primarily been associated with changes in chondrocyte phenotype. Chondrocytes, resident cells in articular cartilage, are responsible for the control of extracellular matrix turnover. On the other hand, ECM homeostasis plays important role in ensuring appropriate cartilage tissue function. Hence, to achieve this state of balance, 2 diffe...

Electron Microscopy of Fowl Pox Virus

A matrix micropatterning platform for cell localization and stem cell fate determination.

To study the role of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, microscale approaches provide the potential to perform high throughput assessment of the effect of the ECM microenvironment on cellular function and phenotype. Using a microscale direct writing (MDW) technique, we characterized the generation of multicomponent ECM microarrays for cellular micropatterning, localization and stem c...