Project Overview
In 2010 it was estimated that 6.5 million people in the United States alone suffered from chronic wounds, accruing an annual cost of approximately $2.5 billion. Furthermore, experts predict that the burden of chronic wounds will increase rapidly in the near future due to increasing medical costs, an aging population, and the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Chronic wounds are characterized by their inability to progress through an orderly set of stages within a time period of about three months. Wound healing progresses through four successive stages known as hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodeling.Our Goals
We will use synthetic biology principles to help treat chronic wounds by targeting the overproduction of wound site protease.
- For Aim 1 we will genetically engineer E. coli to produce a protease inhibitor and platelet derived growth factor.
- For Aim 2 we will purify the protease inhibitor and platelet derived growth factor in a bioreactor.
- For Aim 3 we will design a collagen bandage that mimics the human extracellular matrix, and infuse it with purified protease inhibitor and platelet derived growth factor.
Aim 1
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Aim 2
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Aim 3
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Conclusion
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