Programming Cell-Cell Interactions through Non-genetic Membrane Engineering

Vinculin-cell membrane interactions.

Focal adhesions (FAs) are macromolecular complexes that connect the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix (ECM). These cell junctions are highly spatially organized yet dynamic organelles that transduce force from the actin cytoskeleton to transmembrane proteins known as integrins, which are heterodimers that bind to ECM components such as fibronectin, collagen, and laminin. The intrac...

Revolutionizing Tissue Engineering through Mirroring Cell Niche and Application of Natural Compounds

onsidering the high prevalence of severe organ failures due to the cancer, congenital anomaly, or trauma, and the consequent needs for tissue transplantation, deficiencies in tissues and organs are a huge challenge for regenerative medicine at the moment. More than 40 years have passed since the term ‘tissue engineering’ was created as a new th...

Cell invasion through basement membrane

Cell invasion through basement membrane is an essential part of normal development and physiology, and occurs during the pathological progression of human inflammatory diseases and cancer. F-actin-rich membrane protrusions, called invadopodia, have been hypothesized to be the "drill bits" of invasive cells, mediating invasion through the dense, highly cross-linked basement membrane matrix. Thou...

Graphic-based robot programming simplifies cell engineering

Spatiotemporal control of cell–cell reversible interactions using molecular engineering

Manipulation of cell-cell interactions has potential applications in basic research and cell-based therapy. Herein, using a combination of metabolic glycan labelling and bio-orthogonal click reaction, we engineer cell membranes with β-cyclodextrin and subsequently manipulate cell behaviours via photo-responsive host-guest recognition. With this methodology, we demonstrate reversible manipulatio...