PROJECT

In 2010, it was estimated that 6.5 million people in the United States alone suffered from chronic wounds, accruing an annual cost of about $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.

Wound healing progresses through three successive stages known as inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Ultimately, the degradation of the extracellular matrix and growth factor cause the wound to remain stuck in the inflammation phase, thus unable to heal.

Our goal is to use synthetic biology principles to help treat chronic wounds by targeting the overproduction of wound sit protease.

GOALS

Project

• Aim 1: Genetically engineer E. coli (Escherichia coli) to produce a protease inhibitor and platelet derived growth factor
• Aim 2: Purify the protease inhibitor and platelet derived growth factor in a bioreactor
• Aim 3: Design a collagen bandage that mimics the human extracellular matrix and infuse it with purified protease inhibitor and platelet derived growth factor

Outreach

• Establish the first ever biotechnology community lab in Lubbock, Texas
• Mentor ambitious high school students to initiate their own iGEM team for 2017

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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