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Peptide Conjugates for Sensing Applications
My
research focuses on the interface between traditional organic chemistry
and biology. Specifically, we have designed a class of luminescent sensing
molecules that can be covalently attached to peptides via either solution
or solid phase synthesis. The resulting conjugates are non-toxic to cells,
and their peptide sequences can be tailored for different uses.
Sensors for Calcium
The fluorophores used for
this class of conjugates have carboxylic acids that bind calcium, and
calcium binding triggers a shift in fluorescence emission. These sensors
are then connected to peptides that can target cellular organelles and/or
proteins. This then allows us to study changes in calcium concentrations
in specific areas of cells.
Sensors for Self-assembly
The calcium sensor
molecules can also be attached to the peptide amphiphile (PA) motifs that
have been studied in our lab. These PAs self-assemble in water to form
nanofibers. Combining this system with our fluorophores enables us to make
fluorescent PAs (FPAs) that self-assemble with themselves or in a mixture
with other complementary PAs. These fibers can be tracked via their
fluorescence, and have the potential to change upon calcium binding. This
may give us more information about the self-assembling behavior of these
fibers, and can give us a dynamic system that changes with ion
concentration. | 
Email
Heather