| Unit name | Extracellular Matrix in Health and Disease |
|---|---|
| Unit code | VETS30016 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Hayman |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
All of the following: BIOC10100 Biochemistry 1G, PANM22041 Infection and Immunity, PANM22042 Cellular and Molecular Pathology |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Veterinary School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
The ECM consists of those macromolecules manufactured by cells that are exported into the intercellular space and include collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and glycoproteins. ECM molecules are important because they are responsible for tissue strength and resilience and play a dynamic role in cell growth and differentiation. The structure and biological properties of these molecules will be discussed in relation to normal processes and their role in disease. This will include mineralised tissues - bones, teeth and antlers and a discussion of the ECM in response to injury and trauma with reference to fracture repair, wound healing and inflammation. Defects in the synthesis and degradation of these proteins contribute to a large number of diseases including arthritis, emphysema, atherosclerosis and cancer. Numerous mutations have been identified in ECM genes giving rise to all sorts of abnormalities e.g. osteogenesis imperfecta, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan's syndrome.
