Pilot data on the mechanical properties of a Fibrinogen aC domain variant for an NSF proposal

Blood clots perform the mechanical task of stemming the flow of blood. In hemostasis, they stop blood flow in the event of injury to blood vessels, and initiate wound healing. In thrombosis, aberrant formation of blood clots inside blood vessels is the underlying pathology for such diseases as myocardial infarction, ischemic strokes, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. The major structural and mechanical component of a blood clot is a mesh of fibrin fibers. Therefore, to understand blood clots and their behavior, it is critical to understand the fundamental mechanical and structural properties of their main constituents ? fibrin fibers. This is the overarching goal of this proposal. Using fibrinogen variants, the applicants will investigate how the key molecular interactions of fibrin fiber assembly (A:a knob-hole, B:b knob-hole and aC region interactions) affect the mechanical properties of fibrin fibers.

Scholars @ ECU