In the 1980s, the Institute became known for its work on fibronectin and other extracellular matrix components, and cell adhesion. Some of the highlights include the discovery of the RGD tripeptide as the cell attachment site in fibronectin, fibrinogen, and other adhesive proteins, and the discovery of integrins, the cell surface receptors that recognize the RGD sequence in matrix proteins.
In the 1980s, the Institute became known for its work on fibronectin and other extracellular matrix components, as well as cell adhesion. Among their significant findings were the identification of the RGD tripeptide as a cell attachment site within fibronectin, fibrinogen, and similar adhesive proteins, and the discovery of integrins—cell surface receptors that recognize the RGD sequence in matrix proteins.