Overview
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry, University of Leeds (2011)
Thesis
The Role of Biglycan in Regulating Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Growth Factor Activity
Bone formation during fracture repair is reliant on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to bone synthesising osteoblasts, regulated by bioactive growth factors. The proper timing and location of these growth factors is essential for efficient repair but how this is controlled remains unclear. Work by our lab has identified biglycan as a protein produced by stem cells that can interact with key growth factors altering their effect of stem cells. This study will observe the changes to biglycan during osteogenic differentiation to further elucidate its role in bone healing and hence therapeutic potential where bone healing is impaired.