Suggs:Meeting Notes 10/28/05

Meta

 * TGF-B (sticky) -> SMCs differentiate
 * PDGF-BB (not sticky) -> recruit SMC progenitors associate with endothelial cells -> cleaves TGF-B off site -> SMCs.
 * In vivo, primary function seems to be contained in a matrix and then liberated when needed.
 * Can this recruit another population of cells to form SMCs?
 * Alt-Ester-Amide links. Walk a line of protein and synthetic polymer, can form secondary structure (i.e. a helix). Need doublet/triplet specificity -> polyionic gels, enzyme susceptability, GF binding, integrin binding. Commercially viable/producable pov.
 * Side chains dictate everything (degrading).
 * Which ones to pick?
 * Evaluate structure of polymer, and behavior with other proteins, cells, etc.

Mena

 * Linear monomer (100 mg) -> cyclic monomer
 * Fabricate linear monomer prior to cyclization
 * Triethyl Amine in DMF. Heat linear monomer in anhydrous environment to make cyclic.
 * Cyclic monomer
 * Purification protocol from patent (technical difficulties)
 * Water contamination
 * N2 run-out
 * Continue with 2nd batch.
 * Crumbly vs. Hairy? Physical precipitate, no worries.

Scott

 * Fibrin gels ~ 2 wks.
 * LD gel, add inhibitors to prohibit degradation = toxic to cells.
 * Bulk degradation
 * Mechanical loss (gels become softer)
 * Loss of mass = cells liberated.
 * Weight loss first. Rheometers.
 * Species of thrombin
 * Porcine fibrin + bovine thrombine [100u 2 day decay, 50u 3 day decay]
 * 8 days, no 100u, some 50u
 * Porcine fibrin + human thrombin
 * Fibrin -> mechanical cross-link
 * Thrombin -> coagulation protein - fibrinogen -> fibrin
 * Tabulate ranges of fibrinogen and thrombin.
 * Back off on thrombin!!!

Charlie

 * TGF-B from fibrin gels, (new literature) stimulate actin/myosin for smooth muscle cell differentiation.
 * Release kinetics.
 * Differentiation protocols = 1-2 weeks.
 * During mass loss, TGF-B dump.
 * Goal: Constant release over full time, then go away.
 * Proteonomics. Protein expression in gels.

Office Space

 * Charlie, Jessica upstairs.
 * Scott stays in Basement.
 * Computers move to old-Charlie space.
 * Free space around Mena area.