Parliament urges the EU to accelerate the transition to a research system that does not use animals : we support it!

Earlier this month, the European parliament has voted for accelerating the limitation (end?) of animal testing for research, regulatory and education purposes. As a reminder, the testing ban on finished cosmetic products applies since 11 September 2004 and the testing ban on ingredients (or combination of ingredients) applies since 11 Read more…

On the importance of extracellular matrix of the skin for efficient 3D cell culture models

The extracellular components of the skin can be divided into fiber-forming structural molecules, nonfiber-forming structural molecules, and “matricellular proteins”. Optimal quantities of different matrix components and their delicate interactions are necessary to maintain normal physiologic properties of the skin. Fiber-forming molecules provide a structure to the ECM by creating a Read more…

Impact of neurodegenerative diseases on extracellular space organization and diffusion through hyaluronan remodeling

Soria et al. has published this year an interesting study about the modification leading by synucleopathy on the nanoscale organization and diffusivity of the extracellular space, through hyaluronan remodeling. Indeed the extracellular space (ECS), composed by the interstitial fluid and the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays several roles in health and Read more…

3D co-culture of dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes in BIOMIMESYS® Brain to study Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease affects more than 6 million people worldwide. This neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, with intracellular accumulation of alpha-synuclein aggregates known as Lewi bodies. This neuronal loss leads to a decrease in the neurotransmitter dopamine that cause mainly Read more…

Mechanical stress on cells observed in cancerous tumor can be reproduced with BIOMIMESYS® hydroscaffold

It is now well described that in tumor biopsies, the stiffness of the cancerous tissue is higher than the surrounding non-cancerous tissue of the same organ, with a described remodeling of the ECM. The increase in rigidity is related to the stimulation of fibroblasts that increase the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, Read more…