Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Kumar
Committee Member
Dr. Velliquette
Second Committee Member
Dr. Sakon
Third Committee Member
Dr. Chen
Abstract
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) are signaling proteins that play essential roles in skin cell development, wound healing, and stem cell regulation. Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) has unique angiogenic properties that promote tissue regeneration; however, its therapeutic application is limited by its natural structural instability. In its full capacity, FGF2 is a very substantial aid for the immunocompromised and diabetic population in the process of skin regeneration. A well-known approach to improve the structure of FGF2 is through consensus design. Consensus protein design is a unique and frequently studied method of developing highly stable proteins according to the alignment of sequences among phylogenetically similar vertebrates. This project is focused on using well developed techniques to design a Double mutant decoy FGF2 and to analyze stability using biophysical techniques. The double mutant reintroduces receptor binding proteins into the decoy FGF2 sequence to strengthen its binding, preserve stability, and maintain the function of wildtype FGF2. Following large scale expression and purification of wildtype, decoy, and mutant FGF2 variants, comparative analyses can assess their thermal and structural integrity. Further applications of this research are to develop a topical cream that enhances wound healing.
Keywords
proteins; fibroblast growth factors; diabetes
Citation
Walker, M. K. (2026). Characterization of Stable Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Using Consensus Protein Design. Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/chbcuht/64
