Data Driven Engineering of CRISPR-Cas12a for PAM Recognition Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering Thesis
College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Abstract
We know that amino acids are combined in sequence to constitute proteins for an undefined number of biological functions. Proteins thus evolved for millions of years before being repurposed for human applications in the medical field, food and chemicals. CRISPR enzymes are emerging as a highly versatile workhorse for targeting of specific DNA sequences, useful in biomedicine and biotechnology.
Engineering a chondrogenic microenvironment to promote MSC chondrogenesis Bacherlors of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Thesis
School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage and affects 27 million people in the US. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source for OA therapies because of their immunomodulatory properties and ability to be differentiated along a chondrogenic lineage. Traditional chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs relies on using growth factors such as TGF-βs, but cells rapidly undergo hypertrophy and are not able to withstand the same mechanical load as healthy hyaline cartilage.
