PFI-TT: Developing Antifreeze Polypeptide-Based Systems for Organ Preservation

这个PFI项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括在器官保存中利用抗冻多肽（AFP）为基础的系统（AFP和增强剂）的知识，加快技术转化过程，导致AFP为基础的系统在器官保存中的商业应用，并在器官/组织移植过程中延长采后组织和器官的活力。更广泛的影响还包括扩大代表性不足群体的个人在STEM中的参与，并为学生创业做好准备。器官是稀缺资源，因为所需器官和可用器官之间存在差距。此外，在当前的器官保存解决方案中可用器官的短时间跨度限制了可以运输和移植到患者体内的器官的数量，并且限制了可以考虑哪些人获得器官，进一步加剧了器官短缺并降低了器官移植成功率。保存溶液的组成对于保存器官的寿命至关重要。基于AFP的系统具有在体外保存细胞、组织、器官较长时间的潜力，因此可以提供有价值的数据并降低包括器官/组织移植、生物医学研究和药物发现在内的各个领域的成本。本项目的重点是将基于AFP的器官保存系统转化为商业应用，解决从研究发现到商业应用的关键技术和知识差距。基于AFP系统的特点，包括高效性，与现有溶液的兼容性和多功能性，AFP系统可能是一种潜在的先进技术，用于细胞，组织和器官的保存。然而，巨大的技术和知识差距阻碍了技术翻译。在这个PFI项目中，一个多学科团队将验证拟议的技术，并填补基于AFP的系统中高度活跃的AFP的知识空白，以实现技术转化和商业化。特别是，基于AFP的系统在冷保存中的效力将被系统地验证用于胰腺细胞、组织和器官。此外，将在代表性哺乳动物细胞系上建立基于AFP的系统中的关键成分（即高活性AFP）的毒性概况。此外，将开发一种可扩展的方法来制备有效的AFP。此外，学生（特别是妇女和代表性不足群体的个人）将接受创新、创业和研究翻译过程方面的培训，技术开发和商业化，以及通过提供咨询意见和参加创新和创业讲习班，为提高研究的商业潜力提供指导;该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this PFI project includes advancing the knowledge of utilizing antifreeze polypeptide (AFP)-based systems (AFPs and enhancers) in organ preservation, expediting the technology translation process leading to the commercial application of AFP-based systems in organ preservation, and extending the viability of postharvest tissues and organs during organ/tissue transplantation. The broader impacts also include expanding participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM and preparing students for entrepreneurship. Organs are scarce resources because of the gap between the organs needed and those available. Additionally, the short time span of the available organs in current organ preservation solutions limits the number of organs can be transported and transplanted into patients and which people can be considered for the organs further aggravating organ shortage and lowering organ transplantation success rates. The composition of the preservation solutions is crucial for the lifespan of the preserved organs. AFP-based systems have the potential to preserve cells, tissues, organs for a longer period outside the body and thus could provide valuable data and reduce the costs in various areas including organ/tissue transplantation, biomedical research and drug discovery. This project focuses on translating AFP-based systems for organ preservation.The proposed project addresses the key technology and knowledge gaps as it translates from research discovery towards commercial application. Based on the characteristics of AFP-based systems including highly effectiveness, compatibility to existing solutions, and multifunction, AFP-based systems could be a potential advanced technology for cells, tissues, and organs preservation. However, significant technology and knowledge gaps hinder the technology translation. In this PFI project, a multidisciplinary team will validate the proposed technology and fill the knowledge gaps of highly active AFPs in the AFP-based systems towards the technology translation and commercialization. In particular, the potency of AFP-based systems in cold preservation will be systematically validated for pancreatic cells, tissues, and organs. Moreover, toxicity profiles of the key ingredients in AFP-based systems, that is highly active AFPs, will be established on representative mammalian cell lines. Furthermore, a scalable approach for preparing the potent AFPs will be developed. In addition, the students (esp. women and individuals from underrepresented groups) will receive training on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the process of research translation, technology development and commercialization as well as guidance for advancing the commercial potential of research through advising and participating innovation and entrepreneurship workshops/seminars.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.