Grants Funded
ASPS/PSF leadership is committed to continuing to provide high levels of investigator-initiated research support to ensure that plastic surgeons have the needed research resources to be pioneers and innovators in advancing the practice of medicine.
Research Abstracts
Search The PSF database to have easy access to full-text grant abstracts from past PSF-funded research projects 2003 to present. All abstracts are the work of the Principal Investigators and were retrieved from their PSF grant applications. Several different filters may be applied to locate abstracts specific to a particular focus area or PSF funding mechanism.
Targeted Gene Silencing Using siRNA Improve Diabetic Wound Healing
Principal Investigator
Vishal Thanik MD
Vishal Thanik MD
Year
2007
2007
Institution
New York University Medical Center
New York University Medical Center
Funding Mechanism
Basic Research Grant
Basic Research Grant
Focus Area
Wounds / Scar
Wounds / Scar
Abstract
The ability to affect gene expression via topical therapy has profound therapeutic implications for dysfunctional wound healing. Specifically targeting local gene expression topically avoids systemic toxicity and simplifies treatment. We have recently developed a novel method of topical gel-based siRNA application to precisely and effectively silence local gene expression in non delimited areas. In this project we will employ this technology to treat non-healing and slow healing diabetic wounds. Recent work has begun to elucidate the multiple genetic aberrations in this disease state that lead to dysfunctional wound healing. Two particularly interesting derangements in the diabetic state that may contribute to alter wound healing are dysregulation of the apoptotic pathways and berated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the wound bed. We propose that by silencing various genetic targets, we will be able to restore normal gene patterning and in-turn, normal wound healing. To accomplish this, we will utilize a novel, topical gel based matrix to deliver small interfering RNA directly to the wound bed, allowing for local gene modulation without systemic effects.
The ability to affect gene expression via topical therapy has profound therapeutic implications for dysfunctional wound healing. Specifically targeting local gene expression topically avoids systemic toxicity and simplifies treatment. We have recently developed a novel method of topical gel-based siRNA application to precisely and effectively silence local gene expression in non delimited areas. In this project we will employ this technology to treat non-healing and slow healing diabetic wounds. Recent work has begun to elucidate the multiple genetic aberrations in this disease state that lead to dysfunctional wound healing. Two particularly interesting derangements in the diabetic state that may contribute to alter wound healing are dysregulation of the apoptotic pathways and berated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in the wound bed. We propose that by silencing various genetic targets, we will be able to restore normal gene patterning and in-turn, normal wound healing. To accomplish this, we will utilize a novel, topical gel based matrix to deliver small interfering RNA directly to the wound bed, allowing for local gene modulation without systemic effects.