Novel Biophotonic Probes to Monitor Cellular Metabolism of Nucleosides

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Investigators

Abstract

1066107 Gray Nucleosides and their corresponding triphosphates are essential building blocks needed for proper cellular function. An underrepresented area of study is the development and application of emissive biosensors to monitor nucleoside transport and metabolism in living cells. Toward this goal, nucleosides will be synthesized where phosphorescent metal tags replace conventional nucleobases. Two new synthetic protocols join cyclometalated iridium(III) and platinum(II) to deoxyribose, creating emitting agents that monitor the biochemical reactions of nucleoside metabolism. The comprehensive studies proposed here will characterize these unique compounds at the molecular (ground- and excited-state methods), cellular (transport and imaging studies), and organismal (animal imaging studies) levels. The work will support student training in the Gray and Berdis research laboratories, whose members include participants from several underrepresented groups. The use of cyclometalated bioprobes is being incorporated into undergraduate and graduate-level Bioinorganic Chemistry courses in the Department of Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University.