23
Novel Raman
Dr. Mitchell R. Zakin,
Dr. B. David Green, Business
Official, green@psicorp.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-05ER84295
Amount: $99,995
The real-time intracellular
monitoring of signaling pathways represents the next step in the elucidation
and control of complex biological processes at the molecular level. Contrast
agents or probes are required for molecular targeting and visualization of
individual signaling events. Metallic
nanostructures that produce surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) come
closest to being the ideal intracellular probe.
In previous work, a reproducible metallic SERS nanoprobe has been
developed, and an increase in the Raman cross-section of cytochrome c (cyt-c),
the key signaling protein in apoptosis, was demonstrated. This project will use the metallic nanoprobes to
demonstrate the real-time detection of cyt-c release in viable cells that are stimulated
to enter apoptosis. Phase I will
demonstrate the delivery of multiple intact nanoprobes into cells with
retention of cell viability and apoptotic function. These probe-loaded cells will be stimulated to
enter apoptosis, and the temporal profile of cyt-c concentration will be
measured.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The nanoprobes should have the potential to elucidate intracellular signaling pathways at an unprecedented level of detail, providing capabilities for military medicine, civilian medicine, drug discovery, and clinical diagnostics.