Optimization of small molecule chemical tools for in vivo imaging

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• East, Amanda K.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Chan, Jefferson
• Moore, Jeffrey S
• Mitchell, Douglas A
• Mirica , Liviu M

• Imaging
• Photoacoustic
• Multimodal
• Short Wave Infrared
• Near Infrared
• Cancer Imaging

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Amanda East

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F121455