Our preliminary work, published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering was performed with an enzyme of unknown structure. We now wish to study the hydration-activity relationships of phosphotriesterase, for which a crystal structure is available. This project is well suited for an REU student. The goal of this project will be to investigate whether small concentrations of extracellular hemoglobin molecules can augment the oxygen exchange of a membrane oxygenation device, or artificial lung. The McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development is involved in developing next generation implantable and wearable artificial lungs for patients with lung failure.
Artificial lungs employ thousands of hollow fiber membranes exposed to blood flow.
The flow of oxygen through the fiber lumens establishes diffusional movement of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide from the blood into the fibers. This research project involves continued investigations of the mechanisms of oxygen exchange enhancement using cell free hemoglobin with artificial lung devices. In cancer, atherosclerosis and other diseases, it is desirable to deliver a drug to a specific tissue within the body, but avoid delivery to other tissues. In this project, methods are being evaluated for the delivery of drugs and cells to specific sites in the body through the bloodstream. Much of this work is currently being evaluated in cell culture experiments and with excised animal vascular tissue.