Fibroblast growth factor. Molecular graphic of two molecules of acidic fibroblast growth factor (red and blue) stabilised by sucrose octasulphate (yellow, right) and heparin (yellow, left). The yellow spheres represent sulphur atoms. Acidic fibroblast growth factor is a protein that stimulates wound healing and tissue repair in the human body. By binding the molecule to sulphated polysaccharides, as shown here, the protein can be stabilized against destruction by heat or enzymes, allowing its potential use as a drug to be investigated.