Molecular imaging tools for the study of oxidative stress and metal ions in biology

While there are now many sophisticated imaging techniques to study biological systems, chemical tools are needed to gain an understanding of what is happening in the cell, on a molecular level. We are interested in designing small molecule sensors to probe sub-cellular molecular species, especially those with a fluorescence or magnetic resonance output.

In particular, we are developing redox-responsive sensors that are able to report on reversible oxidative events in biological systems, and can distinguish transient oxidation events from oxidative stress. We also have an interest in imaging essential and therapeutic metals within cells using selective fluorescent sensors, and in measuring toxic metals in the environment using fluorescent arrays.