Publications by authors named "Marcos G Cortes-Medina"

Article Synopsis
  • Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, is influenced by both biochemical signals and mechanical factors in the tissue environment, with interstitial flow and extracellular matrix (ECM) properties being significant contributors.
  • A study using a 3D microfluidic model showed that adding hyaluronan (HA) to collagen hydrogels boosts interstitial flow-induced sprouting, enhancing the properties of stiffness and pore size in the ECM.
  • Interestingly, blocking the HA receptor did not affect this sprouting response, while breaking down HA reduced the benefits of interstitial flow, indicating that HA plays a critical role in improving angiogenic processes by modifying collagen ECM characteristics.
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Cancer is a complex and dynamic disease that is aberrant both biologically and physically. There is growing appreciation that physical abnormalities with both cancer cells and their microenvironment that span multiple length scales are important drivers for cancer growth and metastasis. The scope of this review is to highlight the key advancements in micro- and nano-scale tools for delineating the cause and consequences of the aberrant physical properties of tumors.

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This paper describes an experimental characterization scheme of the biophysical properties of reconstituted hydrogel matrices based on indentation testing, quantification of transport via microfluidics, and confocal reflectance microscopy analysis. While methods for characterizing hydrogels exist and are widely used, they often do not measure diffusive and convective transport concurrently, determine the relationship between microstructure and transport properties, and decouple matrix mechanics and transport properties. Our integrated approach enabled independent and quantitative measurements of the structural, mechanical, and transport properties of hydrogels in a single study.

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Angiogenesis is associated with increased vessel sprouting and permeability. Important mediators of these angiogenic responses include local environment of signaling molecules and supporting extracellular matrix (ECM). However, dissecting the interplay of these instructive signals in vivo with multiple cells and extracellular molecules remains a central challenge.

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