Undergraduate project students 2015-16
Christa Watson
Wound healing therapies are increasing difficult scientifically, economically and clinically. With 3D scaffold often needing complex surface adaptations to make them biocompatible. It is important to find novel scaffold to support the proliferation and cellular adhesion. Chronic wounds are stuck in prolonged inflammation, which causes increased tissue necrosis and swelling. The proliferative phase of wound healing is essential for granulation of new tissue. Wound healing therapies aim to rapidly restore function and structure to skin defect to a level of normal tissue. Fibroblasts are a key cell within the proliferative phase of wound healing. Research has identified coating scaffold with proteins from the extracellular matrices increases cellular proliferation and adhesion onto their surfaces.
Results from my experiment showed that BioVyonTM as a novel scaffold could support the growth of fibroblasts over different periods of incubation times, with cells adhering to its surface at lower seeding densities of 200,000 cells and higher densities of 500,000 cells for 24-72 hours. When scaffolds were coated with collagen or attachment factor and seeded with 500,000 cells, cell harvest increased compared to the control after 48 hours. However results are semi-quantitative due to the unknown number of cells initially seeding onto the discs before harvest. Further investigation and repeats of experiments are needed to be able to say for certain if BioVyonTM can be used as a novel scaffold to generate materials for granulation tissue, quickly and effectively.
Lucie Smith
My undergraduate project is focusing on probiotics, investigating the quantity of viable bacteria present in a particular brand of probiotic drink along with expression of pili producing genes. To research this particular area, I have undertaken RNA extraction and RT-PCR using colonies cultured along with confirmatory testing to identify the bacteria under the supervision of Dr Claire Marriott. To confirm the bacterial strain I have used glucose and mannitol testing, Gram stain, and catalase testing of colonies cultured. Although the genes required for pili production can be found in the DNA of the strain identified, the requirements for expression of these genes remains unanswered.
Keeleigh Mckeogh
I am in my third year of studying Biology at the University of Brighton in Hastings.My dissertation project is focused on the effects of Resveratrol on the viability of pancreatic cancer cells. Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant derived from plants and is believed to express significant health benefits, particularly in the progressions of cancer. I have been investigating the viability and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells when treated with Resveratrol, in addition to looking at the gene expression of a particular tumour suppressor gene (Pdcd4) that is generally down-regulated in cancer cells, using qRT-PCR. I have developed a great knowledge and understanding of clinical and laboratory techniques used in cell culture, cellular analysis, microscopy and imaging; all valuable and transferable skills that will positively help in future education and employment prospects .My supervisor Dr. Claire Marriot has been unbelievably patient and helpful in teaching the techniques and I have thoroughly enjoyed my project, confirming my interest for pursuing a career in this field.