ECM Niche

ECM instructiveness

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and instructive network of molecules that not only provides structural support to tissues but also actively regulates cellular behavior in tissue homeostasis and repair through its biochemical, structural, and mechanical properties. Aging, injury and chronic pathological conditions can adversely alter ECM properties, misdirecting cellular behavior and impairing tissue function and successful regeneration.

At the BCRT, we investigate how the ECM regulates regenerative processes, how its instructive properties become disrupted in disease and injury, and how these functions can be preserved, restored, or engineered to promote tissue regeneration. Motivated by clinical challenges, we investigate the mechanisms underlying ECM function and instructiveness across different tissues to harness the therapeutic potential of the ECM and develop innovative treatments for patients.