Abstract 2900 Artemia franciscana: a rapid, tractable model to explore the role of basement membranes in the genesis and evolution of multi-cellular tissues

Basement membrane (BM), a specialized form of extracellular matrix, enabled the transition from single-cell organisms to multicellular tissues, a pivotal event in metazoan tissue genesis, evolution and adaptation. Its functions include maintenance of tissue architecture, organization of growth factors and signaling gradients, and guidance of cell migration and adhesion. BMs are comprised of a toolkit of proteins including collagen IV, laminin, perlecan, and nidogen, which assemble into a supramolecular scaffold.