The RGD peptide is the most widely used in cell culture. RGD is a natural motif that binds to common cell receptors providing binding points to substrates. The origins and the myriad of applications of RGD are discussed.
Collagen can fail to gelate. This may be due to a multiple of factors which are discussed in this article.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular disease, with over 16.4 million cancer-related deaths predicted by 2040. It is well known for its complex and dynamic nature, which has meant that it is challenging to study with 2D cell culture models, although understanding of the disease has improved.
When discussing 3D Cell Culture, researchers and scientists will talk about collagen, as it is quite popular as a matrix material. Collagen does have limitations as a scaffold though, in a similar way to many other natural scaffold materials, which is one of the reasons why Cell Guidance Systems are offering a fully synthetic alternative – PeptiGels.
3D cell culture has emerged as a pivotal technique for mimicking the natural environment of cells. This method offers a more physiologically relevant context compared to traditional 2D cultures, better enabling the study of cell behavior, drug responses, and disease mechanisms. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of various hydrogels used in 3D cell culture and highlight the unique benefits of using PeptiGel.
To reduce the required frequency of drug administration, technologies have been developed to offer prolonged therapeutic effects, minimizing systemic side effects. These technologies are particularly useful for chronic conditions, localized diseases, and situations where continuous protein delivery is beneficial. Technologies that have been developed for sustained, localized release include:
Scaffolds have an important role to play in tissue engineering, as they are a substrate that can be used to mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM). The properties of scaffolds have also been shown to affect cell behaviour such as cell attachment, differentiation and proliferation.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a vital component for the growth and function of any cell. It typically contains a mix of fibrous and non-fibrous proteins such as collagen, laminin and fibronectin, proteoglycans, growth factors and signalling molecules that provide both structural and biochemical support for cells.
Increasing antibiotic resistance amongst pathogens is alarming. Self-assembling peptides (SAPHs) such as PeptiGel are a class of peptides that can spontaneously organize into well-defined structures, such as fibres, gels, or nanoparticles, under certain conditions. When designed to have antimicrobial properties, these peptides can offer several benefits and face various challenges when used as anti-microbial peptides (AMPs).
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the major structural components of the tumour microenvironment, as it is made up of a network of biochemically different components such as fibrous proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans and polysaccharides. This makes its structure highly dynamic with various ECM components being deposited, modified or degraded on a regular basis, and the structure undergoing constant remodelling.
