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Name of Submitter:
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Linda Griffith
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Title of proposed idea:
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Parsing and Engineering the Matrisome and Mucosume
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What is the major obstacle/challenge in the biomedical research field? What is needed to overcome this obstacle/challenge?
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The extracellular matrix, including the mucus barrier layers that coat epithelial barriers, has emerged as crucial regulator of cell signaling, but comparatively few methods are available (experimental or computational/systems biology) for identifying the components and structure of matrix; much information is encoded in the biophysical organization in addition to the composition. |
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What emerging scientific opportunity is ripe for investment by the Common Fund?
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ECM/Mucus are relevant for activities of virtually every institute. A particularly interesting opportunity is the interplay between the complex properties of mucus and the micro biome, and crosstalk with underlying ECM that govern the epithelial cell behavior. |
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What are the potential Common Fund investments that could accelerate scientific progress in this field?
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"Systems biology of the Matrisome/Mucusome" - accelerate availability of high throughput methods to characterize matrix compassion/structure, with combined engineering analysis of structure/function |
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If a Common Fund program on this topic achieved its objectives, what would be the impact?
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New inexpensive diagnostic methods for a range of diseases; new pointe of intervention in diseases ranging from cancer to chronic inflammatory diseases. |
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