Mimicking Tissue Boundaries by Sharp Multiparameter Matrix Interfaces

Abstract

Engineering interfaces of distinct extracellular compartments mimicking native tissues are key for in-depth in vitro studies on developmental and disease processes in biology and medicine. Sharp interfaces of extracellular matrices are constructed based on fibrillar collagen I networks with a multiparameter control of topology, mechanics, and composition, and their distinct impact on triggering the directionality of cancer cell migration is demonstrated.

Keywords: biomaterials; biopolymer networks; cancer cell migration; matrix engineering; matrix interfaces.