Characterizing Relaxin-2 as a Therapeutic Candidate for Fibrosis

Project Description

Biomaterials are essential tools in biomedical research, providing physiologically relevant environments that support the study of disease mechanisms and the evaluation of therapeutic candidates including relaxin-2 in fibrotic conditions. Using the endogenous hormone relaxin-2, this project will evaluate its therapeutic potential for reducing fibrotic tissue within a uterus-mimicking environment. Throughout this project, the student will culture relevant cell types, fabricate cell embedded 3D collagen hydrogels, and treat them with relaxin-2 to study fibrotic environments. Analytical techniques, including western blotting and qPCR, will be used to assess fibrotic marker expression and treatment response. The goal is to characterize how relaxin-2 modulates fibrosis and evaluate its viability as a targeted treatment strategy while developing essential skills for biomaterial engineering.

 Mentors

Mark Grinstaff, PI Heather Murray

– Characterize the anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin-2 in a 3D hydrogel model
– Evaluate changes in fibrotic marker expression via qPCR and western blot
– Determine effective relaxin-2 dosing and treatment duration
– Learn how to culture and maintain mammalian cells
– Perform and optimize 3D collagen hydrogel systems
– Gain experience performing and interpreting western blot, qPCR assays, flow cytometry, etc.
– Develop skills in experimental design and protocol development
– Strengthen scientific communication through presentations, reports, and discussions

Timeline

Week 1: Literature review, lab safety, orientation to the lab
Week 2: Learn cell culture basics
Week 3: Gel fabrication, cell embedding, start first treatments
Week 4-8: Monitor relaxin-2 treatments, run western blots, qPCR, and optimize treatment conditions
Week 9: Analyze data, create figures
Week 10: Poster presentation, lab wrap-up