Events

Bioengineering PDRA Seminar by Simon Grossemy

Date: Tuesday 5 September 2023 12:00 - 12:30

Location: SEMS Seminar Room & MS Team

Talk: Heterogeneity in tendon cell populations: Interfascicular matrix cells are disproportionally impacted by culture environment

Simon Grossemy's project is about tendinopathy, a highly debilitating, painful condition. Whilst tendinopathy prevalence is rising, poor disease characterization has resulted in a lack of therapies.

Tendon is a multi-level collagen composite material, in which the largest structural unit is the fascicle (fascicular matrix; FM) bound together by proteoglycan-rich interfascicular matrix (IFM). Recent studies have demonstrated IFM & FM have distinct mechanical properties and cell populations. Further, recent data indicates IFM cells are more metabolically active and may drive tendon disease1. However IFM cell phenotype and physiological environment remain poorly defined.

This study aims to isolate IFM & FM cell populations, explore their phenotypes, and define appropriate physiological niche environments for population maintenance. Specifical, we test the hypothesis that the IFM cell population will lose phenotype when cultured on tissue culture plastic.

Keywords: Tendon, mechanoresponse, stiffness, ECM

This seminar will be chaired by Clemence Nadal.