Utilising De Novo-Designed A-Helical Peptides As A Modular Cytoscaffold For Primary Neurons And Sensor For Small-Molecules
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Biochemistry
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M009122/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1641008 | Studentship | BB/M009122/1 | 30/09/2015 | 30/10/2019 | David Scott |
| Description | We have further developed a novel research tool for neuronal cell culture - hydrogelating self-assembling fibres (hSAFs). This synthetic hydrogel can be modified with growth factors and adhesion molecules to direct the growth, survival, differentiation and adhesion of neuronal cell types. |
| Exploitation Route | Hydrogelating self-assembling fibres might be used as an adaptable cell culture material that more accurately mimics brain tissue by other academic laboratories or in industry. Additionally, further development of the material might allow others to use it as a cell-harbouring material for cell replacement therapies and tissue engineering. |
| Sectors | Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Title | Development of hydrogelating self-assembling fibres as an alternative culture material for neuronal cells |
| Description | Hydrogelating self-assembling fibres (hSAFs) are a hydrogel system developed by the Woolfson group and significantly improved upon during my funding award. This hydrogel can be embellished with peptides and proteins which can promote neuronal cell growth, and scaffolds can be designed with different stiffness for modelling specific tissue types in vitro. This material could realistically contribute to the reduction of animal usage by providing an in vitro research tool that more accurately models brain tissue for neuronal cell culture. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2009 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | None yet during this award. |
| Description | Hydrogelating self-assembling fibres for guiding neural stem cell outgrowth and differentiation |
| Organisation | West Wales General Hospital |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Synthesis and purification of peptides for downstream experiments |
| Collaborator Contribution | Edgardo Abelardo, a doctor at Glangwili General Hospital and previous member of the Woolfson group in Bristol, investigated 3D printing as a means for patterning peptide hydrogels. He is also investigating their use for neural stem cell culture. |
| Impact | None. This project is multidisciplinary covering the fields of protein design, cell biology, neuroscience and materials science. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Self-assembling fibre (SAF) disassembly |
| Organisation | University of Sheffield |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | I synthesised and characterised peptides which were used downstream in experiments by our collaborators. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Daniel Mitchell conducted all other experiments with the peptides in the lab of Barbara Ciani, based at University of Sheffield. |
| Impact | None. Collaboration is multidisciplinary, covering the fields of protein design, enzymology and peptide chemistry. |
| Start Year | 2017 |