Guest guest Posted January 12, 1999 Report Share Posted January 12, 1999 Unfolding the mystery of blood proteins - Pacific Northwest scientists are studying how proteins found in blood unfold when they are exposed to implant materials. Protein unfolding occurs on many surfaces as an important biological process, but the causes and effects of surface-mediated unfolding remain unclear. Pacific Northwest scientists have examined the rate at which fibrinogen, a blood protein known to cause clotting, unfolds on ionic surfaces. They discovered it unfolds on these surfaces before other blood proteins. If fibrinogen unfolds first and adheres to an artificial heart valve, for example, it may cause clotting and pose a threat to a patient. Scientists at Pacific Northwest will continue to study fibrinogen and two other blood proteins to learn why, when and how they unfold on various surfaces. Findings may enable researchers to control protein unfolding and possibly prevent harmful clotting or infections. This data could have implications for the bioremediation, pharmaceutical and medical implant industries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.