Call for papers - The Extracellular Matrix

Guest Editors

Jan M. Gebauer, PhD, University of Cologne, Germany
Caterina Licini, PhD, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy

Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 12 September 2025

BMC Molecular and Cell Biology seeks to gather cutting-edge research on the extracellular matrix (ECM), encompassing its composition, dynamics, and impact on cellular behavior and disease pathogenesis. We welcome submissions that explore the role of ECM components in tissue development, homeostasis, and disease, with the aim of advancing our understanding of ECM-related pathologies and therapeutic opportunities.

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Meet the Guest Editors

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Jan M. Gebauer, PhD, Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Germany

Dr Jan Gebauer is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cologne, specializing in the extracellular matrix with a focus on collagen folding and its biological implications. He earned his doctorate at the University of Cologne, investigating the roles of extracellular proteins in development and homeostasis. Following postdoctoral research at the Imperial College London and the University of Cologne, he has applied structural and biochemical approaches to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying extracellular matrix function. Dr Gebauer’s work spans structural biology, protein-protein interactions, and disease-related misfolding, making valuable contributions to the understanding of matrix biology in health and disease.

Caterina Licini, PhD, Histology Institute, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

Dr Caterina Licini is a Post-doctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the Histology Institute, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy. She obtained a PhD in Human Health in 2018, and her research is mainly focused on musculoskeletal diseases, investigating morphological and molecular features of tissues. Particularly, in the frame of the ERC project BOOST, she was devoted to studying molecular and structural changes in ECM of osteoporotic bone.

Caterina Licini is author of scientific publications and exerts editorial activity in international Journals. Furthermore, she has made several contributions to national and international conferences.

About the Collection

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network of macromolecules that provides structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells. Various ECM components such as collagen, proteoglycans, elastin, fibronectin, glycosaminoglycans, and integrins are involved in facilitating cell adhesion, signaling, and tissue organization.

Understanding the composition, structural organization, and dynamics of the ECM is essential for unraveling its impact on cellular behavior, tissue function, and disease pathogenesis. Significant progress in high-resolution CryoEM and computational modeling techniques, such as AlphaFold, has opened new avenues for investigating previously inaccessible aspects of the ECM. Furthermore, recent advances in ECM research uncovered the intricate interplay between ECM components and cellular processes, shedding light on their involvement in cancer progression, tissue fibrosis, and regenerative medicine. Moreover, research has highlighted the potential of ECM-based biomaterials for tissue engineering and therapeutic applications.

Looking ahead, continued research in this area holds the potential for uncovering novel ECM-targeted therapies for various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions. Furthermore, ongoing investigations may lead to the development of innovative strategies for modulating ECM remodeling and promoting tissue regeneration, offering new avenues for clinical interventions.

With recent advances in CryoEM and structure prediction technologies, structural studies are poised to play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of ECM mechanisms at an atomic level. These techniques enable detailed visualization and modeling of ECM components and their interactions, providing valuable insights into their functional roles in health and disease. This Collection welcomes submissions leveraging these state-of-the-art approaches to further explore the structural aspects of the ECM and their implications for therapeutic innovation.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "The Extracellular Matrix" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.