Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
Wound healing is a complex process which involves interaction between cell surface molecules, the extracellular matrix (ECM), regulation of cell signalling, as well as cell proliferation and migration. Our research has generated a range of chimeric proteins combining domains of the ECM protein vitronectin (VN) and a range of systemic and tissue specific growth factors. Two chimeras that have demonstrated particularly promising results are VN:IGF-I and VN:EGF, indeed, the VN:IGF-I chimera has induced significant increases in cell proliferation in various cell lines while the VN:EGF chimera promotes greatly increased levels of cell migration in isolated human skin cells. In order to heal a wound, cells must both proliferate and migrate into the provisional matrix provided by the blood clot and regenerate the tissue to restore proper function. For this reason we propose that a single chimeric protein combining the enhanced effects of the VN:IGF-I and VN:EGF chimeras would have both functional and economical advantages with respect to production and commercialisation processes.
Hypothesis: That a trimeric chimera consisting of VN, IGF-I and EGF will combine the effects of both the VN:IGF-I and VN:EGF chimeras into one protein entity conferring functional and economical advantages over current wound healing therapeutics.
Methods and techniques that will be developed in the course of this project:
- Molecular generation of recombinant chimeric constructs
- Protein expression in yeast, insect and bacterial systems for comparative purposes
- Cell based assays: Cell growth, migration and intracellular signalling comparing the trimeric chimera with the original VN:IGF-I and VN:EGF chimeras
- Structural determination of the trimeric chimeras protein:receptor interactions through in vitro binding studies: BIACORE
- Study level
- Honours
- 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
