Team:Jefferson VA SciCOS

Project

Wound oxygenation is a key determinant of the outcome of healing, because oxygen is crucial to the healing process and for resistance to infection. With our project, we hope to promote angiogenesis in chronic wounds by elevating the production of growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VGF), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Our machine is activated at an oxygen threshold below 2%, allowing for transcription of the FGF gene and production of the growth factor in response to conditions of near-anoxia. This oxygen-sensing device is part of an array of growing applications targeted towards the promotion of angiogenesis as a means of wound healing in patients with severe, untreatable wounds.

Background

Established in 1985, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is the result of a partnership of businesses and schools created to improve education in science, mathematics, and technology. Representatives from business and industry and staff of the Fairfax County Public Schools worked together in curriculum and facilities development for the school. In recent years, local business leaders and Jefferson parents have formed the Jefferson Partnership Fund to help raise money to maintain and equip labs and classrooms in the school. As the Governor's School for Science and Technology in Northern Virginia, the school is also supported by the Virginia Department of Education. In addition to providing a specialized education for selected students in Fairfax County, Jefferson also serves other school districts including Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William counties as well as the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

Apotex Incorporated

We would like to thank Apotex Inc. for their generous sponsorship of our project. Without their donations and support, much of the work that we did would not be possible.

Mentors

We would also like to thank Dr. Mary Susan Burnett, a DNA teacher, researcher, and lab director who is currently employed at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She guided us through the more difficult procedures in our experiment, and taught us all of the proper techniques and safety guidelines that we employed throughout our work.

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