Genetically Altered Cells May Help Artificial Skin Fight Infection

January 8, 2007

Dorothy Supp, Ph.D. Photo courtesy of The University of Cincinnati

Dorothy Supp, Ph.D., a Shriners Hospitals researcher and adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati, and her team, found that skin cells that were genetically altered to produce higher levels of a protein known as human beta defensin 4 (HBD4) killed more bacteria than normal skin cells.

HBD4 is one in a class of proteins that exist throughout the body as part of its natural defense system. Researchers have only recently begun targeting these tiny molecules as a way to combat infections.

"If we add these genetically modified cells to bioengineered skin substitutes, it would provide an important defense system boost during the initial grafting period, when skin is most susceptible to infection," explains Supp.