Dr Wade’s research on the molecular mechanisms of rare genetic defects led to the identification of the unique properties of a protein that is critical for the strength of the internal tissue layer designated “fascia”. 

In this project, she aims to capitalise on this focused biological activity to develop an innovative, ready-to-use, easy-to-handle, sterile and resorbable surgical bandage that promotes fascial regeneration in almost all patients. This fills an unmet need in surgical interventions as fascia regeneration is fundamental to the success of all surgical procedures that enter the abdomen or chest.

Failed internal healing affects approximately 10% of surgeries (~15,000 a year in New Zealand) resulting in incisional hernia, infection risk, further surgeries, longer recovery periods and greater costs to the healthcare system. A biological agent that strengthens internal healing post-surgery would prevent these unwanted outcomes.

Dr Wade’s expertise in molecular biology, in-vitro and in-vivo models, and protein manufacture, complements the drug delivery and surgical expertise of my collaborating team. This will enable the development of a safe and effective surgical product.

In the first 6 months of her project, she successfully expressed and purified a recombinant version of her protein of interest, and developed a method of scale-up to enable the production of 1-2 mg of protein per preparation. Dr Wade has worked with her collaborators in the School of Pharmacy, University of Otago and at the Ferrier Institute, Victoria University of Wellington to couple her protein of interest with key molecules in the lab. Finally, Dr Wade has been optimising her in-vitro and in-vivo models to streamline protein testing in the next part of her project. 

In the next 6 months, she will perfect methods to concentrate her protein and couple it with milligram amounts of carrier molecule. Dr Wade will then use these formulations to engineer flexible sheets of material containing her protein. These sheets will be tested in-vitro for protein release and bioactivity, before being tested in an animal model of abdominal surgery. 

Dr Wade’s proposal builds on knowledge of connective tissue composition, drug delivery, and surgical technique beyond routine research to formulate an innovative therapeutic that will solve a global issue.

Dr. Wade’s research continues to advance the development of a novel surgical bandage designed to enhance fascia regeneration, addressing a critical need in post-surgical healing. Since the project began, she has successfully expressed and purified a recombinant version of her protein of interest, refining a scalable production method using specialized human cells. This has enabled the production of 1–2 mg of protein per preparation, an important step toward large-scale development.

In collaboration with researchers at the University of Otago’s School of Pharmacy and Victoria University of Wellington’s Ferrier Institute, she explored ways to couple the protein with key molecules to enhance its stability and bioactivity. While these initial attempts were unsuccessful, the insights gained have informed new strategies for protein formulation and delivery.

Dr. Wade has also optimised in-vitro and in-vivo models to streamline testing, ensuring that future experiments can efficiently evaluate the protein’s effects on tissue healing. With the help of her honours student, Henry Chapman, she engineered a knock-out cell line to assess the protein’s biological activity. Mr Chapman’s work further explored how genetic variations influence the expression of this protein, highlighting potential differences in healing capacity among individuals. This important discovery suggests that personalised approaches to surgical recovery may be possible in the future.

In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Wade was awarded the Sir Charles Hercus mid-career fellowship from the Health Research Council (HRC) in 2024. This prestigious award will support her next phase of research, which investigates how genetics influence the development of common connective tissue disorders, with a particular focus on pelvic organ prolapse. As part of this work, she aims to raise awareness of prolapse in wahine Māori and identify new proteins that could be developed into therapeutic solutions.

By combining expertise in molecular biology, protein engineering, and surgical applications, Dr. Wade’s work is laying the foundation for a groundbreaking surgical product that could significantly improve healing outcomes for thousands of patients.