The extracellular matrix: Tools and insights for the "omics" era.

ABSTRACT: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a fundamental component of multicellular organisms that provides mechanical and chemical cues that orchestrate cellular and tissue organization and functions. Degradation, hyperproduction or alteration of the composition of the ECM cause or accompany numerous pathologies. Thus, a better characterization of ECM composition, metabolism, and biology can lead to the identification of novel prognostic and diagnostic markers and therapeutic opportunities. The development over the last few years of high-throughput ("omics") approaches has considerably accelerated the pace of discovery in life sciences. In this review, we describe new bioinformatic tools and experimental strategies for ECM research, and illustrate how these tools and approaches can be exploited to

SUBMITTER: Naba A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5013529 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature