SGER: Pulsed Laser Readout of Large Molecular Libraries on an Optical Fiber Support

University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI

Investigators

Abstract

This Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER) award to Professor Peter Geissinger of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division. The project targets two specific and important areas of analytical chemistry; development of a sensitive and rapid detection scheme for a sensor array and an identification strategy to determine the active components in a combinatorial library. The research uses a novel approach of segmenting an optical fiber into regions that are used in a parallel synthesis scheme. Reactants, along with a fluorophore are added to each fiber segment. Upon excitation with a laser pulse, the evanescent excitation of the fluorophore is detected. The position of the fluorophore is calculated by the time difference between the pulse and the return signal. The position of each compound is known from the synthetic scheme. This allows the active components of the library to be quickly identified. Combinatorial chemistry libraries are becoming increasingly important in synthesis of new chemicals. Accurate and rapid identification of the active species in the library is essential for the optimal use of the library. This project focuses on developing an alternative technique for preparing and screening libraries. This allows quick and economical identification of species that might be effective in applications such as pharmaceuticals. This SGER award to Professor Peter Geissinger of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division. The project targets two specific and important areas of analytical chemistry; development of a sensitive and rapid detection scheme for a sensor array and an identification strategy to determine the active components in a combinatorial library. The research uses a novel approach of segmenting an optical fiber into regions that are used in a parallel synthesis scheme. Reactants, along with a fluorophore are added to each fiber segment. Upon excitation with a laser pulse, the evanescent excitation of the fluorophore is detected. The position of the fluorophore is calculated by the time difference between the pulse and the return signal. The position of each compound is known from the synthetic scheme. This allows the active components of the library to be quickly identified. Combinatorial chemistry libraries are becoming increasingly important in synthesis of new chemicals. Accurate and rapid identification of the active species in the library is essential for the optimal use of the library. This project focuses on developing an alternative technique for preparing and screening libraries. This allows quick and economical identification of species that might be effective in applications such as pharmaceuticals.