Alec Kaufmann, “Contouring the Effects of UC2288 on Bone Regeneration within Mice”
Mentor: Priyatha Premnath, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering & Applied Science (College of)
Poster #17
Most people are able to regenerate injured bones with no problem. However, there are individuals with varying conditions that are unable to do so. Previous research within the Premnath lab found that the removal of the p21 gene has osteogenic effects. When the p21 gene is removed completely from mice, mesenchymal stems cells within their bone differentiate into bone cells at an increased rate. As a result, the bone within the injured area is able to regenerate at a faster rate. To test this further a drug known as UC2288 was selected because it suppresses p21 activity. Instead of removing the p21 gene from mice, this drug was injected into fractured areas to inhibit the activity of p21. Micro CT scans were then taken of the fractured areas and processed using a contouring software called Materialise Mimics. Contouring is a process that allows for the creation of three-dimensional models by using two-dimensional images. It is done by going through each individual picture within a scan and highlighting the desired areas of study. The created models can then be used to examine further data such as volume, surface area, density, and tissue type differentiation. This data can then be used to validate that the drug UC2288 does in fact have an effect of bone regeneration. Through future research and development, the goal is to create a drug that can be used by populations that are not able to heal their bones properly. Affected groups include those that have diabetes, osteoporosis, the elderly, and post-menopausal women.