The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays essential roles in tissue development, regeneration, homeostasis, and disease. Despite its fundamental importance, progress in ECM research has often been hindered by the limited availability of essential molecular tools.

Particularly, obtaining full-length cDNA clones of ECM genes is often challenging because many ECM molecules are large, complex, and poorly represented in commonly available clone collections. Likewise, identifying reliable antibodies that function in specific experimental applications remains a major bottleneck, as antibody performance is frequently context-dependent and difficult to evaluate from commercial information alone.

To help overcome these barriers, we established the ECM DNA and Antibody Resource Database (EDARD) as a community resource developed through the MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Transformative Research Area (A) “Multimodal ECM” (link) . EDARD provides information on ECM-related full-length cDNAs and experimentally validated antibodies, and associated resource availability, to improve access to critical reagents for ECM research. The current release includes human and mouse ECM cDNA resources together with antibody information and availability.

Our goal is to accelerate ECM research by reducing the time and effort required to identify, evaluate, and obtain key experimental reagents. We also aim to promote reproducibility, facilitate the study of understudied ECM molecules, and lower technical barriers for researchers entering the field.

EDARD is intended to be a continuously evolving community resource. We welcome contributions from researchers, laboratories, and resource providers who are willing to share information on ECM-related cDNAs, antibodies, expression constructs, validation data, and other useful resources. Through collaborative efforts, we hope to expand and enhance this platform, creating a comprehensive infrastructure that supports the broader ECM research community.

EDARD Team
Project Lead
Hironobu Fujiwara
RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan

Scientific Steering Committee
Hironobu Fujiwara (RIKEN BDR)
Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi (U Osaka)
Yoshihiro Miwa (RIKEN BRC)

Database Development and Curation
Noriko Ban-Sanzen (RIKEN BDR)
Jun-ichi Onami (RIKEN BRC)
Takehide Murata (RIKEN BRC)
Junko Kijima (RIKEN BRC)
Syunichi Sasanuma (RIKEN BRC)

Resource Contributors
Resource contributors are a central component of EDARD. We gratefully acknowledge researchers and laboratories that share biological resources, validation data, and expertise with the ECM community.

We actively welcome new resource contributors and collaborators who wish to support the growth of this community resource.

For inquiries, suggestions, or resource contributions, please contact:
Hironobu Fujiwara (RIKEN BDR)
hironobu.fujiwara@riken.jp

License agreement is required to download data.

License agreement is required to download data.