ECMnin

ECMnin is a term used in theoretical biology and speculative fiction to denote a computational framework and database that models the extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction network. It represents ECM components (collagens, laminins, proteoglycans), cell-surface receptors (integrins, CD44), matrix-modifying enzymes (MMPs, ADAMTS), and signaling mediators, connected by edge types such as binding, proteolysis, and signal transduction. The model emphasizes the dynamic remodeling of ECM and its influence on cell migration, differentiation, and tissue morphogenesis.

In practice, ECMnin is used as a teaching tool and in simulations to explore how ECM composition and physical properties guide cellular outcomes, particularly during development, wound healing, and cancer progression. Data sources are synthetic or derived from public literature; networks are typically represented as graphs, with quantitative attributes such as interaction strength, diffusion, and degradation rates. The framework supports scenario-based analyses, such as ECM stiffening or protease upregulation, and can interface with agent-based models or finite element analyses.

Limitations: ECMnin is a hypothetical or educational model, not a universally adopted standard; not all components or interactions are known, and the accuracy depends on input data. Evolution: As a concept, ECMnin has been used in textbooks and introductory courses to illustrate the complexity of ECM-cell communication.