Dec 2, 2009 (PRN): Protein Genomics, Inc. (PGEN) announced today that it has been awarded an SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation. PGen is the parent company of Dermaplus, Inc. maker of Dermalastyl brand anti-aging skin creams. The grant is to be used for constructing replacement blood vessels from PGEN's recombinant human proteins. The Company, founded five years ago by microbiologist Dr. Burt Ensley, synthesizes components of skin and other tissues, such as Tropoelastin, the precursor of human elastin. Dr Ensley said “We have manually assembled the genetic code for elastin from scratch and we introduce that code into host organisms such as plants, bacteria or yeast. The host cells then express the protein as if it were expressed by a human cell. The protein that is extracted has all the attributes of human material but without danger of infection or rejection since it does not come from human or animal sources. “We have been working on wound healing applications for our tropoelastin, and this work will extend our efforts into vascular surgery.”

The harvested protein is cast into a tubular shape and then mixed with human cells. The cells and the protein together form a vessel that has the strength and flexibility of native blood vessels. Dr. Robert S. Kellar, the Project’s Principal Investigator says: “We plan to evaluate PGEN's biomaterial technology for future use in clinical applications, such as Dialysis, where significant improvements can be made for a large patient population. $1.5 billion is spent per year on dialysis patients for blood vessel repair or replacement. This new material could lead to huge health care costs savings.”

Forming and analyzing the assembly of such sophisticated structures requires a unique combination of biology and engineering skills. PGEN has teamed with Dr. Jonathan Vande Geest of the Department of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson. Dr. Vande Geest says ”We believe that the technology resulting from our unique research collaboration will lead to a tissue engineered product having the mechanical properties and bioactivity necessary to serve as a functional tissue replacement in a clinical setting”.

Dr Ensley said, "By using our proteins in Dermalastyl, the world's most advanced topical skin cream, we were able to lower the cost of the elastin to levels that make it competitive with other procedures such as transplants. Users of our skin creams can do good while looking good."

About Protein Genomics

Protein Genomics Inc produces refined biomaterials using gene synthesis, engineering design and fermentation manufacturing. Protein Genomics also sells over-the-counter consumer products through its subsidiary DermaPlus containing the same sophisticated, high performance biopolymers. Its current product line includes Dermalastyl anti-aging skin care and Keracyte anti-aging scalp conditioner. Keracyte and Dermalastyl are available in the web at http://www.dermalastyl.com or http://www.keracyte.com or call 877-520-9004.

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