The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a remarkably complex assembly of hundreds of proteins and proteoglycans and a fundamental component of all multicellular organisms (Hynes and Naba, 2012; Karamanos et al., 2021). These macromolecules form a dynamic microenvironment surrounding cells and contribute biomechanical properties to connective tissues (Fig. 1). However, ECM functions extend far beyond simple structural support for cells, tissues, and organs. Over the past decades, it has become increasingly clear that the ECM, via chemical and mechanical cues, also regulates cellular phenotypes including proliferation, migration, and differentiation (Rozario and DeSimone, 2010). In addition, ECM components modulate growth factor bioavailability and signaling pathways, such as the TGFβ, BMP, or Wnt pathways (Hynes, 2009). The ECM thus plays key functional roles in tissue and organ development and homeostasis (Rozario and DeSimone, 2010). The importance of the ECM is further underscored by the fact that pathogenic variants in many genes encoding ECM protein cause disorders that can affect virtually all organ systems (Lamandé and Bateman, 2019). Prominent examples include Ehlers Danlos syndrome, Alport syndrome or Gould syndrome, which are caused by mutations in collagen genes, or Marfan syndrome and acromelic dysplasia, which are caused by mutations in fibrillin-1, ADAMTS proteases or ADAMTS-like proteins (Ramirez et al., 2018; Stanley et al., 2021). In addition, excessive degradation or accumulation of ECM is also associated with the etiology of diseases ranging from cardiovascular and musculo-skeletal diseases to cancer and fibrosis (Lu et al., 2011; Theocharis et al., 2019).

The American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) was founded in 2001 under the leadership of Dr. Paul Bornstein with Dr. Robert Mecham, as its first president (see https://www.asmb.net/). To advance its core mission of promoting ECM research and support development of the ECM research community, the ASMB established a biennial meeting in 2002. Originally scheduled in November 2020, ‘The Matrix in Focus’ meeting was eventually held in September 2021 in St. Louis, MO, USA, in a hybrid format that included live streaming and recording of plenary and concurrent sessions to allow for the participation of colleagues around the world unable to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest symposia were organized by the Histochemical Society (HCS) and the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS), emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of ECM research, and the collaborative tradition of the ASMB. In this post-meeting report, we highlight exciting recent developments in ECM research and discuss the ASMB's experience with organizing a hybrid scientific meeting that welcomed over 350 in-person and remote participants.