2017 Baker Institute Spotlight: Peptides from horse stem cells kill common wound bacteria

Abstract

This spotlight item is about: The treatment of skin wounds in horses and humans can be complicated by bacterial infections that slow healing and create scarring. A new study from Dr. Gerlinde Van de Walle, the Harry M. Zweig Assistant Professor in Equine Health and Research Support Specialist, Rebecca Harman, shows that equine stem cells secrete peptides that kill bacteria often found in equine wound infections. They are very excited to soon test whether these peptides are effective in horse wounds, too. The work is reported in Stem Cell Research & Therapy.