What is Laminin?

Laminin. Have YOU ever heard of it? It was a word that didn't mean anything to me up until the past Saturday evening. I had never heard of it, let alone knew what it was.  What IS Laminin? Oh, I know…it's that thing that people wear around their neck that holds nametags, special identification for conferences or meetings, etc. Nope. Those would be lanyards. What about when you use a machine that puts that plastic stuff over paper to make it seemingly indestructible, and keeps the paper from fraying? Wrong again. That would be laminATE. Give up? Ok…let me tell you. First of all, let me explain how the definition of this word came about. A couple friends and I recently helped out at a Chris Tomlin Concert. For those of you who have seen Chris in concert, you know you are in for a treat, because you also know you will more than likely be hearing Louie Giglio speak. If you have NOT had the opportunity to see Chris in concert, I HIGHLY recommend going if you do get the chance. I guarantee, you WILL be blessed.

I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Giglio speak a couple years ago during GMA Week, and walked away "wowed". And, Saturday night was no different. We have no doubt all heard the (in my opinion) most beautiful Psalm that David wrote, Psalm 139. "We are fearfully and wonderfully made." Allow me to dig even deeper into what this truly means. I will admit that as a high school, and even as a college student, I had really no interest in maintaining a lot of the knowledge that I would be hearing in my biology and science classes. Now, I wish I had paid more attention. We all (for the most part) understand that our bodies are made up of countless cells, and even more countless molecules…which make up our individual and unique DNA. Within our molecular make up, there these components called…you guessed it…Laminin. No big deal, right? Let's see what wikipedia has to say about Laminin, shall we? Here is their definition/description of Laminin.

Laminins are the major non-collagenous component of the basal lamina, such as those on which cells of an epithelium sit.[1] They are a family of glycoproteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in virtually every animal tissue. Laminins are secreted and incorporated into cell-associated extracellular matrices.

Laminins form independent networks and are associated with type IV collagen networks via entactin, and perlecan. They also bind to cell membranes through integrin receptors and other plasma membrane molecules, such as the dystroglycan glycoprotein complex and Lutheran blood group glycoprotein.[1] Through these interactions, laminins critically contribute to cell attachment and differentiation, cell shape and movement, maintenance of tissue phenotype, and promotion of tissue survival

In other words, it's like the glue that holds every part of our body, from our membranes to our skin together.  Still not understanding where this is going, or what relevance this has in how truly amazing and awesome our God is? Let me show you 2 pictures of what Laminin looks like, and you will see firsthand the beauty of all of this.

http://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~alorch/ecm/gallery2.htm (as you scroll down, the diagram of laminin will be the 2^nd diagram shown)

http://www.nature.com/emboj/journal/v17/n2/fig_tab/7590751f6.html (this is an actual microscopic picture of laminin)

Oh, yeah…in case you didn't figure it out, or the link did not work for some reason, Laminin is in the shape of a cross.

There is one more thing I'd like to share. It's a verse that Louie actually closed with Saturday night.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER."  - Colossians 1: 15-17

So...our bodies have all these little "things"in the shape of a cross that remind us of that one beautiful cross of all - the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Hopefully this will completely captivate you like it did me.  It baffles me to think that the Lord of everything takes such detail and delight in reminding us that we really ARE "fearfully and wonderfully made".

Mercy and grace to you all...