Jlogan MODULE 4: Biomaterial Engineering Proposal

Research Proposal

• Idea

Found a study between MIT and Hong Kong University where researchers discovered a biodegradable liquid that can stop bleeding in seconds by binding to a certain peptide, and not affecting clotting or invoking the immune response. These peptides self-assemble with the gel to seal the wound and thus stop bleeding. The gel is biodegradable so it can be reused by the body to heal the wound area. Following these lines, we propose to find a similar material but instead target tumors and contain them in the same fashion so they are unable to grow or metastasize. Once the tumor is contained, this opens new methods for drug delivery or therapy to remove/destroy the tumor.

• Design

• Sources

[1] http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2006/hemostasis.html

Ellis-Behnke, R. G.; Y. Liang; D. Tay; P. Kau; G. Schneider; S. Zhang; W. Wu; K. So. 2006. Nano hemostat solution: immediate hemostasis at the nanoscale. Nanomedicine 4: 207-215.

[2] http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/297/1/31

Ellis-Behnke, R. G.; Y. Liang; S. You, ; D. Tay; S. Zhang; W. Wu; K. So; G. Schneider. Mar 2006. Nano neuro knitting: Peptide nanofiber scaffold for brain repair and axon regeneration with functional return of vision. PNAS

[3] http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/15/9996

Self-assembling peptide hydrogel fosters chondrocyte extracellular matrix production and cell division: Implications for cartilage tissue repair