Detecting Bioactivity In A Naturally-occurring Aggrecan Fragment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$407,634.00
Summary
The dynamic balance of anabolic and catabolic processes in healthy cartilage is disturbed in arthritis, with increased catabolism leading to irreparable cartilage damage. We will study the ability of a naturally-occuring aggrecan fragment to modulate cartilage catabolism. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that the aggrecan fragment limits cartilage destruction. This study tests our hypothesis that the aggrecan fragment antagonises cartilage damage and promote cartilage repair.
This project will unleash the potential of peptide drugs by overcoming their final barrier to widespread use, their synthesis. Plants naturally produce ultra-stable cyclic peptides. We will co-opt their machinery to produce in seeds, two drug leads that have potential as treatments for prostate cancer and chronic neuropathic pain. As an �organic� drug source, seeds have the potential to improve patient compliance and low-tech production systems will allow technology transfer to third-world natio ....This project will unleash the potential of peptide drugs by overcoming their final barrier to widespread use, their synthesis. Plants naturally produce ultra-stable cyclic peptides. We will co-opt their machinery to produce in seeds, two drug leads that have potential as treatments for prostate cancer and chronic neuropathic pain. As an �organic� drug source, seeds have the potential to improve patient compliance and low-tech production systems will allow technology transfer to third-world nations.Read moreRead less