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	Home > Research > Collaborative Research > Analysis by Microfluidics on the Impact of ECM Ligands Analysis by Microfluidics on the Impact of ECM Ligands on Neutrophil Migration Livingston Van De Water, Albany Medical College, Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research
	Collaborative Project #1, entitled " Analysis by Microfluidics on the Impact of ECM Ligands on Neutrophil Migration " is led by Dr. Livingston Van De Water at the Center for Cell Biology and Cancer Research, Albany Medical College. Our main goals are to: 1) determine how fibronectin (FN, a prevalent ECM protein and ß1 integrin ligand associated with early tissue repair) regulates neutrophil chemotaxis, and 2) identify the signaling pathways associated with this event. While a large body of data has elucidated key steps such as rolling on, and diapedesis through, the wall of post-capillary venules, much less is known about the role of FN in governing neutrophil migration outside of the vasculature with respect to tissue resolution, and clearance of pathogens. We are employing novel microfabricated devices in applications requiring linear gradients of both soluble and insoluble molecules. So far, microfludic technology enabled us to test our hypothesis that a dynamic relationship exists between motile cells and the changing complement of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins they encounter.
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