Explore the Extracellular Matrix using a Biocolor Kit

The ECM has been likened to a 'glue' that binds cells together in connective tissues. In practice it is rather more than that: it’s a complex, three-dimensional network of proteins and polysaccharides, built and maintained by the very cells it surrounds. Every tissue has its own version so that the ECM of cartilage is quite different from that of skin, lung or bone, and it is this variation that gives each tissue its mechanical ‘character’ (properties). The ECM is also dynamic – being continually deposited, remodelled and broken down throughout the life of an organism, with the balance shifting during growth, wound healing, ageing and disease.

The ECM plays a key role in cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. It is responsible for the physical and biochemical maintenance of all cells within an organism, and ultimately provides structure to tissues and biomechanical support to organisms.

The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is a fundamental part of living organisms, composed primarily of water, proteins, and polysaccharides. Its main structural proteins are fibrous in nature, with collagen and laminin being key examples. This fibrous network holds hydrogel-forming molecules such as the glycosaminoglycans, heparin and hyaluronic acid. A diverse range of other molecules are also present, including growth factors and Matrix Metalloproteases (MMPs).

Analysing the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) helps us understand how organisms develop and age, as well as finding ways to treat diseases like cancer. Through advancements in Bioengineering, we hope to control ECM formation for fixing damaged tissues. Purified ECM components are becoming increasingly valuable in industries such as food production and cosmetics.