Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Extracellular Matrix01:42

The Extracellular Matrix

85.3K
Overview
85.3K
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

2.8K
In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
2.8K
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions01:24

Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

7.7K
The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...
7.7K
Extracellular Matrix01:26

Extracellular Matrix

3.8K
Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...
3.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Author Correction: Membrane remodelling mediates lipopeptide-induced immunity in Arabidopsis.

Nature plants·2026
Same author

Membrane remodelling mediates lipopeptide-induced immunity in Arabidopsis.

Nature plants·2026
Same author

SNED1 fibrillar assembly in the extracellular matrix requires fibronectin and collagen I.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Binding of the elastin peptide VGVAPG and lactose to the human elastin binding protein.

Journal of structural biology·2026
Same author

An update on the landscape of collagen bioactive fragments.

The FEBS journal·2026
Same author

A guide to building the matrisome interactome: from computational predictions to experimental validation.

The FEBS journal·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 5, 2025

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix
09:40

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix

Published on: January 4, 2017

16.9K

Multiscale modelling of the extracellular matrix.

Hua Wong1, Jean-Marc Crowet1, Manuel Dauchez1

  • 1Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, CNRS, MEDyC UMR 7369, 51097 Reims, France.

Matrix Biology Plus
|January 24, 2022
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces novel mesoscopic modeling tools to investigate the extracellular matrix (ECM). These tools enable the study of large macromolecular movements and self-organization within the ECM, overcoming limitations of atomic-level and microscopic methods.

Keywords:
Basement membraneCG, coarse-grainedCryo-EM, cryogenic electron microscopyDOF, degrees of freedomECM, extracellular matrixEGF, epidermal growth factorExtracellular matrixFEM, finite element methodMD, molecular dynamicsMesoscopic scaleModellingNC, non-collagenousNMR, nuclear magnetic resonanceRigid bodiesSAXS, small-angle X-ray scatteringSimulation

More Related Videos

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
10:21

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix

Published on: June 14, 2016

10.2K
Studying Normal Tissue Radiation Effects using Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels
11:01

Studying Normal Tissue Radiation Effects using Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels

Published on: July 24, 2019

6.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 5, 2025

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix
09:40

A Rapid, Scalable Method for the Isolation, Functional Study, and Analysis of Cell-derived Extracellular Matrix

Published on: January 4, 2017

16.9K
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
10:21

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix

Published on: June 14, 2016

10.2K
Studying Normal Tissue Radiation Effects using Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels
11:01

Studying Normal Tissue Radiation Effects using Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels

Published on: July 24, 2019

6.0K

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex 3D network crucial for cellular microenvironments.
  • ECM components like collagen and elastin form supramolecular assemblies with vital physicochemical properties.
  • Current methods struggle to characterize ECM components at the intermediate, mesoscopic scale.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and apply novel computational tools for studying mesoscopic systems.
  • To investigate the self-organization and large-scale motions of ECM macromolecules.
  • To bridge the gap between atomic-level and microscopic characterization of ECM components.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a specialized set of mesoscopic modeling tools.
  • Utilizing dynamics of articulated rigid bodies for simulating large-scale motions.
  • Compromising atomic resolution for enhanced study of larger motions and systems.

Main Results:

  • Successfully developed tools capable of simulating mesoscale phenomena in the ECM.
  • Demonstrated the ability to study self-organization and macromolecular dynamics at the mesoscale.
  • Overcame limitations of traditional high-resolution techniques for large ECM complexes.

Conclusions:

  • Mesoscopic simulation and modeling are powerful approaches for understanding the ECM.
  • The developed tools provide a new avenue for characterizing complex ECM structures and dynamics.
  • This work advances the understanding of ECM organization and function at an unprecedented scale.