Protein and Biological Engineering Laboratory
Engineering of Fluorescent Proteins
The lab is also interested in protein engineering. One of our protein engineering projects involves creating the next-generation of fluorescent proteins. Fluorescent proteins have become highly pervasive molecules in the biological sciences and engineering. Many color variants have been created, in addition to proteins that exhibit pH and ion sensitivity and allow for photoswitchabililty and FRET signaling. Despite these advances, there are still many improvement that can be engineered into a fluorescent protein.
Enhancement of Nerve Regeneration
In addition to discovering factors that can improve wound healing, we will create models to study nerve regeneration and design molecules that can enhance the regenerative process. It is well known that the 3D environment that neurite extensions interact with can have a dramatic effect on nerve migration and elongation. By creating novel protein-based hydrogel scaffolds, we will be able to expedite and improve the nerve regenerative process.
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Design of Cellular Flow Chambers
In the lab, we are using 3D printing technology to fabricate fluidic devices to create cellular flow chambers for increased physiologically relevant in vitro cell culture. Typical cell culture relies on growing cells on surfaces composed of tissue culture plastic in 2D. This can lead to non-relevant cell interactions and false results during drug screenings and other assays.
Our lab is trying to develop a rapid and robust platform for the creation of tissue-like structures within protein-based hydrogels for more reliable drug screening and to study complex cellular interactions. We are pursuing the screening of anti-cancer molecules and proangiogenic factors for wound healing
