Extracellular Matrix

Molecular components: water - dynamic aspects; collagen superfamily; noncollagenous matrix proteins; elastic tissue, elastin and elastin associated fibrils; hyaluronan; matrix proteoglycans; heparan sulphate proteoglycans; the control of cell growth. Cell-matrix interactions: regulation of gene expression by the extracellular matrix; molecular recognition of the extracellular matrix by cell surface receptors; the role of specific macromolecules in cell-matrix interactions and in matrix function - physicochemical and mechanical mediators of chondrocyte biosynthesis; morphogenesis of connective tissues.