What are the interactions between the ECM components that lead to the network formation?

This part of the study goes beyond the phenomenological level to the basic intermolecular forces that govern the ECM formation. Specifically, we study the kinetics and thermodynamics of the aggregation processes of ECM components. Using single molecule force spectroscopy, we also measure the direct forces between ECM components and their segments in ambient conditions.

Publications:

Lester-Zer N, Ghrayeb M, Chai L. Nanomechanical properties of steric zipper globular structures. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America [Internet]. 2019.