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Updated: Apr 23, 2026

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix
Published on: January 4, 2017
Biology of the extracellular matrix: an overview
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Abstract:
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an intricate network composed of an array of multidomain macromolecules organized in a cell/tissue-specific manner. Components of the ECM link together to form a structurally stable composite, contributing to the mechanical properties of tissues. The ECM is also a reservoir of growth factors and bioactive molecules. It is a highly dynamic entity that is of vital importance, determining and controlling the most fundamental behaviors and characteristics of cells such as proliferation, adhesion, migration, polarity, differentiation, and apoptosis.
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