Topic of Research Seminar: Bioinspired fluorescent dipeptide nanoparticles for targeted cancer cell imaging and real-time monitoring of drug release

Abstract: Peptide nanostructures are biodegradable and are suitable for many biomedical applications. However, to be useful imaging probes, the limited intrinsic optical properties of peptides must be overcome. Here we show the formation of tryptophan–phenylalanine dipeptide nanoparticles (DNPs) that can shift the peptide’s intrinsic fluorescent signal from the ultraviolet to the visible range. The visible emission signal allows the DNPs to act as imaging and sensing probes. The peptide design is inspired by the red shift seen in the yellow fluorescent protein that results from π–π stacking and by the enhanced fluorescence intensity seen in the green fluorescent protein mutant, BFPms1, which results from the structure rigidification by Zn(II). We show that DNPs are photostable, biocompatible and have a narrow emission bandwidth and visible fluorescence properties. DNPs functionalized with the MUC1 aptamer and doxorubicin can target cancer cells and can be used to image and monitor drug release in real time

Subject Field of Topic: Chemistry

Name of Speaker: Ms. Alishbah Zaka

Professorial Rank of Speaker: PhD Scholar (Chemistry Dpt.), School of Natural Sciences (SNS – NUST)

Email of Speaker: [email protected]

Affiliation of Speaker: School of Natural Sciences (SNS – NUST)

Date and Venue: (Thursday) 12 December 2024, 02:00 pm, CR # 205, New Building SNS, School of Natural Sciences, NUST Islamabad