Canada Research Chair on Protein-enhanced biomaterials
Affiliated To
Contact Information
Professors/Researchers
Research Specification
The various growth factor–receptor systems play a central role in regulating the interactions between cells in the same
tissue. Normally, their functions are tightly regulated by complex mechanisms (time-space variation in concentrations, complex
molecular interaction mechanisms). In spite of remarkable progress in recent years, regenerative medicine still faces a number
of challenges. One of them involves pushing back the frontiers of knowledge about the fine-grained configuration of the
molecular events required to trigger cell growth and differentiation and thereby gaining, among other things, a greater
understanding of growth factor requirements during these phases.
In synergy with expertises developped by École Polytechnique's researchers and based on the know-how and experience of the
Chair holder in the fields of protein engineering and biophysics, the Chair aims to develop innovative molecular strategies to
tether growth factors in an oriented and optimal fashion for the development of a new generation of biomaterials : bioactive
materials for controlled tissue repair and regeneration. This approach has significant potential for the control and
optimization of tissue regeneration as well as to provide in vitro systems for mechanistic studies and drug testing of
pharmaceutics.
Gregory De Crescenzo is an expert in biophysical characterization of biomolecular
interactions, and in particular kinetic characterization based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques. Dr. De
Crescenzo's work will provide direct support for Canadian pharmaceutical and biomedical companies by developing new compounds
of therapeutic value. Working in synergy with the École Polytechnique's other chairholders and drawing on the expertise that
they have acquired, he will also focus on developing new technological tools and methods for optimizing the production and
purification of recombinant proteins and quantifying their effects.
Dr. De Crescenzo will conduct his research in the new facilities of the École Polytechnique's Chemical Engineering Department
(J.-Armand Bombardier building), where the Metabolic Engineering and Cartilage Tissue Engineering chairs are already located.
Research Personnel
- Professors/Researchers: 1
- Graduate Students: 2
- Postdoctoral Fellows: 1
Specialized Equipments
SPR Biosensors (Surface Plasmon Resonance) : Biacore 3000 and T100
Microcalorimeter (ITC) : Auto-ITC (Microcal) – to be installed soon
Analytical Ultrcentrifuge (AUC) : Beckmann-Coulter – to be installed soon
Stopped Flow Instrument (Biologics) – to be installed soon
Automated Pipetting Platform : Janus (Perkin Elmer)
Automated Platereader Victor (Perkin Elmer)
