Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Organic/Inorganic/Materials Seminar Series

Professor Robert Strongin, Portland State University

Advances in Abiotic Biosensors and Targeted Molecular Probes
For the past three decades our group has addressed fundamental challenges in biomedical diagnostics. Applications have included the detection of cancer, cardiovascular disease and redox-related disorders. The general approach involves the development of design principles for transforming relatively simple pH dyes into inherently targeted, highly selective long wavelength and NIR-active agents that function without the need for conjugation to biomolecules. This has allowed us to develop abiotic chemical indicators to detect intriguing disease biomarkers such as specific sugars, amino acids and low-abundant phospholipids. In addition, molecular probes that target human pancreatic cancer tissue have been synthesized and evaluated.