CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Grant: $136,792 - National Institutes of Health - Jul. 16, 2009
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Award Description: Project Narrative Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are potentially fatal conditions afflicting major blood vessels, which are characterized by a loss of blood vessel wall flexibility, and their ultimate structural weakening and rupture. This occurs due to breakdown and loss of rubber-like protein fibers (elastin) that normally help vessels restore their shape and form after deformation. Since cells within blood vessels cannot themselves produce new elastin, this study proposes to provide cells in culture, or within living blood vessels, a combination of biological molecules that will either induce cells to (a) synthesize new soluble elastin building blocks (precursors) and further assemble them into fiber structures, or (b) only assemble elastin precursors that are also simultaneously provided to them. The project outcomes can significantly benefit the development of new, non-surgical treatment strategies that can halt progress of or even regress existing AAAs by coaxing cells within to regenerate new elastin structures or repair and stabilize existing ones.
Project Description: See Award Description above
Infrastructure Description: This is not an infrastructure award.
Jobs Summary: N/A (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Not Started
This award's data was last updated on Jul. 16, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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