Table of Contents

1: Overview of the different collagen types and approaches for the isolation and characterization of types I, III, V and VI molecules from tissues and cultured cells
2: Approaches for isolating and characterizing the collagens in cartilage
3: Techniques for evaluating the matrix components found in basement membranes
4: Approaches for investigating the specialized matrix components produced by endothelial cells
5: Techniques for the isolation and characterization of the enzymes involved in the post-translational processing of collagen
6: Techniques for the study of fibronectin and tenascin
7: Approaches for the study of glycosaminoglycans
8: Approaches for the evaluation of proteoglycans
9: Techniques for the use of the extracellular matrix and its components in cell culture
10: Approaches for investigating elastin
11: Techniques for evaluating the catabolism of extracellular matrix components
12: Immunological approaches for the identification of extracellular matrix components in tissues and cultured cells
13: Molecular biological approaches for studying extracellular matrix production

Reviews

`valuable ... It is a multi-authored volume in the superb Practical Approach series and comes packed with protocols on every aspects of ECM research. This is the ECM book that has been needed for a long time, and here are essential protocols for any groups with even the slightest interest in the ECM. I recommend it highly.'
Charles Streuli, University of Manchester, Trends in Cell Biology, (Vol.6), November 1996
`This book sets out to provide the research worker with a comprehensive survey and detailed protocols of the biochemical techniques used for studying the macromolecules of the extracellular matrix. The senior authors of all the chapters are well established in the field of their contribution. This is a strong recommendation for a book which should become a standard handbook for anyone working in this field, particularly those just entering or wishing to
develop new techniques.'
Doreen E. Ashhurst, St George's Hospital Medical School, Cell Biology International, Vol. 20, No. 9, 1996