PROF. AYSE B. TEKINAY
PhD, 2007
Rockefeller University New York, NY, USA
BSc, 1999
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Bilkent University, Turkey
MY LATEST RESEARCH
Peptide Hydrogels for the Treatment of Burn Wounds
Although burn injuries are prevalent across the world and account for over 250,000 deaths per year, their unique physiology prevents the use of conventional wound dressings for their treatment. We have shown that heparin-mimetic hydrogel scaffolds are effective for the regeneration of third-degree burns, even outperforming a commercial wound dressing.
Burn wounds are distinguished from lacerations and impact injuries through the presence of wound progression, a gradual process by which the anoxic, fluid-poor environment of the burn epicenter triggers the death of otherwise healthy tissues at the periphery. In addition to halting the development of post-injury tissue necrosis, the heparin-mimetic hydrogel was able to accelerate wound closure and enhance the formation of new blood vessels at the site of injury, thereby facilitating the transport of much-needed oxygen and nutrients to the regenerating tissue. Furthermore, the gels also ensured minimal scar formation by stimulating the development of hair follicles and deposition of a well-crosslinked collagen matrix, which are major hallmarks of healthy skin.
​
This research has been published in the journal Biomaterials, under the title “Heparin mimetic peptide nanofiber gel promotes regeneration of full thickness burn injury”. It can be accessed at the following address: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.04.040
Regenerative Effects of Peptide Nanofibers in an Experimental Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and reduction in striatal dopamine levels. Although there are few treatment options for PD such as Levodopa, they are used just to relieve and modify the symptoms. There are no therapies available for PD to slow down the degeneration process in the brain and recover the lost function.
Biomimetic nanomaterials bearing natural bioactive signals which are derived from extracellular matrix components like laminin and heparan sulfates provide promising therapeutic strategies for regeneration of the nervous system. In this work, we investigated potential therapeutic effects of heparan sulfate and laminin mimetic peptide nanofibers on reduction of striatal injury in experimental Parkinson’s Disease model. Peptide nanofibers enhanced functional recovery associated with enhanced striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase content as well as reduced cleaved-Caspase-3 levels. Overall, this study shows the improvement in consequences of Parkinsonism in rats and provides a new platform for treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
This work has been published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia, under the title “Regenerative Effects of Peptide Nanofibers in an Experimental Model of Parkinson’s Disease”. It can be accessed at the following address:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27619838