Title:  Rubber vs. Silly Putty: Extracellular matrix viscoelasticity and its impact on cells

Abstract:

The extracellular matrix is a complex assembly of structural proteins that provides physical support and biochemical signaling to cells in tissues. Over the last decade, studies have revealed the important role that extracellular matrix elasticity plays in regulating a variety of biological processes in cells. However, tissues and matrix are often viscoelastic. This talk will focus on our recent efforts to elucidate the viscoelastic properties of extracellular matrices, and understand how matrix viscoelasticity regulates cartilage matrix deposition by chondrocytes and breast cancer cell invasion.