Optional ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 982 3807 0773
Passcode: 481104

In the first part of the talk, applications of near infrared fluorophores for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) will be discussed. Surgical resection remains the primary, and sometimes only, potentially curative treatment option for many cancers. Our lab has focused on two primary approaches to intraoperatively detect tumors: (1) Use of self-assembled nanoparticles composed of hyaluronic acid to deliver near infrared fluorophores to tumors and (2) dye-labeled antibodies targeted towards tumor-associated mucins. The strengths and challenges of each contrast agent approach will be discussed, including a focus on the breadth of tumor models investigated, including breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. An update on the preclinical advancement of these agents will be provided.

In the second part of the talk, our work on bacterial pathogen identification will be described. Timely and efficient identification of pathogenic microorganisms is of high importance for public health and safety. Most currently developed sensing methods are based on optical and/or electrochemical techniques, where selectivity is achieved by using antibodies, their fragments, natural or engineered peptides, or aptamers. Important limitations for using these elements as a part of the sensor are cost, stability, special handling, and a narrow range of analytes that can be detected. Here, a sensor array for multivariate analysis based on small molecule ratiometric fluorescent dyes will be described, including bacterial species and gram status identification, adaptation to a paper-based platform, and pattern analysis approaches.