William P. Sheffield, McMaster University

Associate Professor Pathology & Molecular Medicine Hamilton, Ontario sheffiel@mcmaster.ca Office: (905) 525-9140 ext. 22289
(905) 525-9140 ext. 22701

Expert In

Blood proteins Genetic engineering

Bio/Research

Research in the Sheffield laboratory focuses on plasma and plasma proteins in four general ways: in work aimed at producing novel plasma proteins with either procoagulant or anticoagulant properties; in work involving transfusion of plasma or plasma replacement products in animal models of coagulopathy and bleeding; in efforts to extend the circulatory lifetime of recombinant plasma proteins; and in quality monitoring of plasma and plasma products. Ongoing projects include: 1) Structure/function studies of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family members alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, antithrombin, heparin cofactor II, and alpha-2-antiplasmin; 2) Fate of mutant albumin molecules in vivo in rabbits and mice, and efficacy in animal models of hemorrhage or thrombosis; 3) Gene fusion approaches to altering the clearance or distribution of plasma proteins (e.g. factors VII); and 4) Quality and efficacy of therapeutic plasma in vitro and in vivo. A variety of biochemical and molecular biological approaches are used, including site-directed and PCR-based mutagenesis of cDNAs, expression of recombinant proteins in bacterial, yeast, or cultured mammalian cell systems, protein characterization using enzymatic, immunochemical and biochemical techniques, in vivo studies of recombinant or natural proteins or protein mixtures injected into rabbits and/or mice, and characterization of the ability of plasma to support in vitro clotting.

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