Investing in Research
Canterbury Scientific’s aim is to be a sustainable company, with high potential and growth opportunities. Having emerged from the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), and with close relations with local science and health organisations, we’re committed to encouraging the continued success of science in New Zealand.
To support this endeavour we put aside twenty percent of our annual profit for new research initiatives, summer studentships and grants, in addition to our own internal R&D commitment to further product development.
Summer Studentships are administered and coordinated through the research institutions we directly support.
Current research:
From left to right: Aiwu Zhou, Maurice Owen, John Veatch, Steve Brennan, Neil Pattinson, Darrell Wang, Robin Carrell
1. Pre-eclampsia screening test
Angiotensinogen is a blood protein which provides the active angiotensin peptide that raises blood pressure. The crystal structure of angiotensinogen has recently been determined by Aiwu Zhou in Robin Carrell’s group in Cambridge University, UK. From this work they identified a redox switch that modulates the release of angiotensin. CSL is funding the development of an assay that can measure the redox state of the molecule. This is a two–year study to develop a new predictive biomarker for blood pressure in collaboration with Cambridge University, Canterbury Health Laboratories, and the University of Otago, Christchurch.
The goal is to create a test that can measure the ratio between oxidised and reduced angiotensinogen in the blood, and can potentially predict conditions, such as pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Participants in the study include Research Fellow Darrell Wang, Canterbury Health Laboratory’s Peter George, Steve Brennan and Scientific Consultant Tim Yandle of the University of Otago, Christchurch.
Listen to Radio NZ interviewer Ruth Beran speak with Neil Pattinson and Maurice Owen from Canterbury Scientific, and collaborators Peter George, Darryl Wang and Tim Yandle about the angiotensinogen research project.
We are also developing an SPR-based assay to detect redox state of angiotensinogen in blood. The longer term idea here is to attach renin or another bio-specific molecule to the SPR chip and expose to blood samples of interest to detect pre-eclampsia. Firstly, fully reduced samples of angiotensinogen alone would be used to establish proof of principle that the methodology was valid. Secondly, oxidised samples would be trialed to establish the extent to which oxidation of the key cysteine residues impacts on binding. If oxidation alters the binding, then the method could be developed to provide a quantitative analysis of blood samples. The SPR chip and angiotensinogen samples to be supplied by CSL. The study is led by Conan Fee at the University of Canterbury.
2. Chromatography Method to Deplete HbA1c from Hb
This study is to develop a chromatography method to do large scale depletion of HbA1c from a Hb solution. Method scouting will be performed on new Capto S cation ion exchange media, followed by scale-up. Chromatography media and HbA1c samples to be provided by CSL. This project is led by Conan Fee.
3. Stability Assessment of Hb Samples
This study entails the biophysical assessment of the stability of Hb preparations using DSC, CD and perhaps DSF. The idea here would be to establish thermodynamic parameters for protein unfolding and aggregation at different temperatures and to use these measurements to inform shelf life predictions for Hb standards stored in solution at 4C. Hb samples to be supplied by CSL. This project is led by Grant Pearce.
4. Ligand Stabilisation of Hb
This project will investigate the use of other ligands that enter the heme pocket to help stabilize the molecule. Richard Hartshorn of the Chemistry department at the University of Canterbury who has an interest in cytochrome P450 is looking at any parallels with Hb oxidation.
