University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Optimization of small molecule chemical tools for in vivo imaging

East, Amanda K.

Content Files
EAST-DISSERTATION-2023.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121455

Description

Title
Optimization of small molecule chemical tools for in vivo imaging
Author(s)
East, Amanda K.
Issue Date
2023-07-11
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Chan, Jefferson
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Chan, Jefferson
Committee Member(s)
  • Moore, Jeffrey S
  • Mitchell, Douglas A
  • Mirica , Liviu M
Department of Study
Chemistry
Discipline
Chemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Imaging
  • photoacoustic
  • multimodal
  • short wave infrared
  • near infrared
  • cancer imaging
Abstract
Molecular imaging is a revolutionary technique in chemical biology that allows for the detection of analytes within their native, intact biological environments. Advancements in the imaging field over the past few decades have given researchers the capability to assess and elucidate biology. Molecular imaging uses chemical tools that can selectively stain a target or interact with the target to result in an observable change. Recently, chemical tools using an activity-based sensing design have expanded upon different molecular targets by providing information about their activity rather than presence in biological systems. However, to even begin interrogating different biological systems, molecular imaging requires robust imaging agents capable of interrogating species that are deep within the body and/or species that are in low amounts. This requires the development of novel imaging platforms and optimization of those already existing, which my thesis work addresses. Therefore, Chapter 1 is an introduction to molecular imaging, emphasizes different optical imaging modalities, and provides a road map for how researchers can select different imaging modalities based on their research questions. Chapter 2 discusses the design, synthesis, and application of a novel silicon hemicyanine dye, in addition to our progress towards using the platform for activity-based sensing and remodeling the hemicyanine dye for multiplex imaging. Finally, Chapter 3 reports our work to optimize the photophysical and targeting ability of small molecule dyes via a biomimetic approach with a multivalent ligand. We specifically showcase the ligand on the aza-BODIPY platform for the sensing of copper within cancer, but the developed ligand has broad applicability to other dye platforms, molecular targets, and biological systems.
Graduation Semester
2023-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121455
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Amanda East

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Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois