Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
The successful isolation and ex-vivo expansion of human skin-derived keratinocytes has resulted in the use of these cells for therapeutic applications. However, currently the use of cultured keratinocytes carries a real risk of introducing infectious agents since the culture systems employed require the presence of animal serum, semi-defined or purified proteins, and/or "feeder" cells.
In particular, we hypothesize that the co-culture of fibroblast feeder cells with keratinocytes results in the production of proteins/peptides that are not produced when these cells are cultivated alone. Furthermore, we propose that identification of these proteins/peptides will provide critical information that will facilitate the development of a culture systems that supports ex-vivo expansion of keratinocytes in the absence of BOTH animal feeder cells and serum.
This project will follow-on from an advanced proteomic approach which has identified several proteins/peptides produced as a result of the autocrine and paracrine interactions that occur between keratinocytes and fibroblast feeder cells.
We will then assess whether incorporation of these candidate protein/peptides into our current serum-free medium results in a formulation that supports expansion of keratinocytes ex-vivo in the absence of both serum and feeder cells.
Methods and techniques that will be developed in the course of this project:
- Cell culture - human skin culture
- Usage of 3D human skin equivalent models
- Histology and Immunohistochemistry
- FACS
- Real-time PCR
Note: Additional proteomic analysis can be conducted if desired and/or necessary.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor.
Dr Kerry Manton
Professor Zee Upton
