Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Wound healing is a complex process which involves interactions between cell surface molecules, the extracellular matrix (ECM), regulation of cell signalling, as well as cell proliferation and migration. The ECM is a complex mixture of many different proteins, and one which predominates, especially in wounded tissue, is fibronectin (FN), which stimulates cell migration as part of the wound healing process. Furthermore, FN has the ability to bind fibrin (main component of blood clots) to facilitate the invasion of cells to regenerate the injured tissue. Our research has recently generated a range of chimeric proteins incorporating another ECM protein present in wounds, vitronectin (VN), and multiple systemic and tissue specific growth factors (GFs). These chimeric VN:GF chimeras have been shown to be significant enhancers of cellular functions related to wound healing, such as proliferation and migration. As FN plays such an important role in the wound healing process it also presents itself as an attractive candidate for further exploration in the ECM:GF chimeric protein technology. This project aims to generate FN:GF chimeras and assess their ability to induce functional responses in human skin cells that may confer improved wound healing in vivo.- Study level
- PhD
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
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Please contact the supervisor.
Dr Derek Van Lonkhuyzen
Professor Zee Upton
