Publication Date

Spring 2013

Document Type

Project Summary

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Analytical Chemistry

First Advisor

Walter Henne, Jr., Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Stephen Kent, M.B.A.

Third Advisor

Karen D'Arcy, Ph.D.

Abstract

In recent years methods of selective targeting of pathologic cells have become increasingly important for both detection and treatment of various cancers. The use of folic acid as a selective therapeutic and targeting agent for cancer cells is becoming ever more significant. This is due to the well characterized up regulation of folate receptors for cancer cells.

In this experiment we focus on the development of a new folate conjugate dye by using a small fluorescent molecule known as Oregon Green 514 for fluorescent imaging of cancer cells. To obtain this objective we I inked folate with Oregon green 514 dye via a solid phase synthesis technique. Purification and identification of the newly created fluorescent probe was accomplished by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry. The folate-conjugated imaging probe was tested on L1210 leukemia cells, and was internalized by binding selectively to over expressed folate receptors on the surface of cancer cells. The folate receptor was confirmed to be responsible for conjugate internalization by a competition study with free folic acid.

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