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Full-Text Articles in Cell and Developmental Biology

Developing Novel Water-Soluble Porphyrins For Potential Use As Photosensitizers In Photodynamic Therapy, Kayla R. Whittington Apr 2022

Developing Novel Water-Soluble Porphyrins For Potential Use As Photosensitizers In Photodynamic Therapy, Kayla R. Whittington

Honors Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality for various illnesses, including some types of cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The prevalence of lung cancer in certain gender, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups add to existing health disparities in the United States. For this reason, it is necessary to address the social determinants underlying lung cancer disparities, as well as improve treatment options. These treatment options should be cost effective, convenient, and increase survival rates. This research focused on synthesizing novel water-soluble porphyrin compounds for use as photosensitive agents in PDT for …


Preparation And Cytotoxicity Of Novel Carbon Nano-Onion Materials, Cammie York Apr 2020

Preparation And Cytotoxicity Of Novel Carbon Nano-Onion Materials, Cammie York

Honors Theses

The applications of carbon nanomaterials (CNM), including graphene and its derivatives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in nanomedicine is well established. These nanomaterials have been widely used as theranostic delivery systems with the potential to deliver bioactive agents and simultaneously detect selectively diseased tissues. A rather underexplored CNM for biomedical imaging and theranostics delivery are carbon nano-onions (CNOs). CNOs are carbon-based nanomaterials that can potentially be used in cancer therapy when they are functionalized. Recent studies on cellular fate of different CNMs, including CNOs, have demonstrated that the surface composition is critical for the in vivo application of these CNM. …


Developing A New Water-Soluble Porphyrin As A Potential Photodynamic Cancer Therapy Agent, Catherine Shirley Apr 2020

Developing A New Water-Soluble Porphyrin As A Potential Photodynamic Cancer Therapy Agent, Catherine Shirley

Honors Theses

Photodynamic cancer therapy (PDT) is a type of treatment involving the use of light in conjunction with a photosensitive agent- a chemical or series of chemicals designed for activation when exposed to light. This research project investigated the synthesis and identification of the novel photosensitive agent, H2TPP-Pro-OH. To create the water-soluble porphyrin, (S)-(+)-prolinol was reacted with the tetra-carboxyl porphyrin, H2TPPC, to form the final H2TPP-Pro-OH product. This compound was then purified using syringe filtration and column chromatography, and subsequently characterized using infrared (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies, as well as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Finally, …