Chemistry and Materials
Science Seminar
Synthesis of Low and
High-Relaxivity Gd(III) Targeted Molecular Imaging Agents for Use in
Prostate Cancer MRI
Andrew O'Brien
Chemistry MS
Candidate
School of Chemistry and
Materials Science, RIT
Register Here for Zoom
Link
This seminar may be
attended in person in 1174 Gosnell Hall or online via
Zoom.
Andrew will be
presenting a thesis proposal on his work in Dr. Schmitthenner’s lab
synthesizing imaging agents for use in prostate cancer MRI
imaging.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer is a
serious disease that will affect 1 in 8 American men in their lifetime.
Existing prostate cancer diagnosis methods are invasive, inaccurate, and
location-nonspecific. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for
non-invasive, highly accurate. and location-specific imaging-based
prostate cancer detection. Gd(III) chelates serve as MRI contrast agents
that reveal the location and detailed images of tumor structures within
the body. The effectiveness of these chelates as contrast agents is
dictated by a property called r1 relaxivity. The kinematic,
thermodynamic, and kinetic properties of these contrast agents affect not
only their r1 relaxivity but their safety within the body. Targeted
Molecular Imaging Agents (TMIAs) are contrast agents with a targeting
group attached, enabling them to selectively bind to a specific protein
known as a biomarker. This allows for cancer-specific imaging. In our
approach, DCL is a targeting group that allows the contrast agents to
bind to PSMA, a protein found on the surface of cells within prostate
tumors. The aim is to synthesize a variety of mono- and di-Gd(III) TMIAs
using peptide synthesis techniques and to determine the effect of TMIA
structure on r1 relaxivity. The synthesized TMIAs' r1 relaxivities will
be measured using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. Higher
relaxivity TMIAs could improve imaging efficacy as well as improve safety
as a lower in vivo concentration would be required for effective prostate
cancer imaging.
Speaker Bio: Speaker Bio: Andrew is a third-year student in the Chemistry BS/MS Program, Thesis Track. In the past, he has done research with Dr. Scott Williams growing crystals for use in lithium-ion batteries. Andrew has been involved in research with the Schmitthenner group since Spring 2021. His interests include coordination and organometallic chemistry, which lie at the intersection of traditional inorganic and organic chemistry. Andrew's long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry and become a college professor.
Intended
Audience:
Undergraduates,
graduates, experts. Those with interest in the
topic.
To request an
interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu