The study of the extracellular matrix has significantly expanded over the past decade. Although thoroughly researched, the complexity and the dynamic nature of the matrix are still under extensive investigation, yielding a growing number of methods of analysis. In Extracellular Matrix Protocols: Second Edition, expert researchers explore this developing field and provide a number of techniques which can be reproduced in most cell biology labs. This edition contains methods that represent cutting edge unique technologies which are well worth exposure to the broad field and may encourage collaboration with expert labs. Chapters include information on molecular biology techniques to study gene expression, biophysical and biochemical methods for the analysis of structure and composition, and cell biology methods for assessment of cell behavior, matrix assembly and tissue engineering applications. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology(tm) series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Molecular Biology.- Retroviral delivery of ECM genes.- Tissue-Specific KO of ECM Proteins.- Recombinant Collagen Trimers from Insect Cells and Yeast.- Eukaryotic Expression and Purification of Recombinant Extracellular Matrix Proteins Carrying the Strep II Tag.- Preparation of recombinant fibronectin fragments for functional and structural studies.- Quantitative Determination of Collagen Cross-links.- Biochemical and biophysical analysis.- ECM Macromolecules: Height-mapping and Nano-mechanics Using Atomic Force Microscopy.- Atomic Force Microscopy Measurements of Intermolecular Binding Forces.- Mass-Mapping of ECM Macromolecules by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.- Chemical Microscopy of Biological Samples by Dynamic Mode Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS).- ECM Macromolecules: Rotary Shadowing and Transmission Electron Microscopy.- Using Self-Assembled Monolayers to Pattern ECM Proteins and Cells on Substrates.- Solid Phase Assays for Studying ECM Protein-Protein Interactions.- Cell Adhesion Assays.- Cell biology assays.- ECM Degradation Assays for Analyzing Local Cell Invasion.- Fluorescence-Based Assays for In Vitro Analysis of Cell Adhesion and Migration.- Fibrin Gel Model for Assessment of Cellular Contractility.- Fluorescent Labeling Techniques for Investigation of Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis (Labeling Fibronectin Fibrillogenesis).- Stromagenesis During Tumorigenesis: Characterization of Tumor-associated Fibroblasts and Stroma-derived 3D Matrices.- Tissue Recombinants to Study Extracellular Matrix Targeting to Basement Membranes.- Organ models.- ECM and FGF-Dependent Assay of Embryonic SMG Epithelial Morphogenesis: Investigating Growth Factor/Matrix Regulation of Gene Expression During Submandibular Gland Development.- Analyzing how Cell AdhesionControls Mammary Gland Function by Transplantation of Embryonic Mammary Tissue from Knockout Mice.- Tissue Engineering.- Characterizing ECM Production by Cells Encapsulated in Hydrogels.- Tissue Engineering and Cell-Populated Collagen Matrices.