Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Part I: Development Of Small-Molecule-Based Probes For The Vitamin D Receptor; Part Ii: Development Of A Scalable Manufacturing Process For Orcein Dye, Tania Roseann Mutchie

Theses and Dissertations

PART I:The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor and member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. VDR is expressed in the epithelia of endocrine organs, digestive system, bronchi, kidneys, and thymus, as well as being present in leukocytes and bone cells. Cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and immunomodulation, along with calcium and phosphate homeostasis, are all processes regulated by the receptor. Within the cell, VDR can be membrane-bound or located in the nucleus. Nuclear localization of VDR transpires following the binding of vitamin D metabolites, the most active of which is 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol). Within the nucleus, interactions …

Investigation Of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Quaternary Structure Through Fluorescence Micro-Spectroscopy And Theoretical Modeling: Interdependence Between Receptor-Receptor And Receptor-Ligand Interactions, Joel David Paprocki

Theses and Dissertations

Proteins are of high interest in biophysics research due to the important roles they play within cells, such as sensing of chemical (ions and small molecules) and physical (e.g., light) stimuli, providing structure, transporting ions/molecules, signaling, and intercellular communication. The studies described in this dissertation focus on a particular type of membrane proteins known as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), which play a key role in cellular response to external stimuli. We used the sterile 2 α-factor mating pheromone receptor (Ste2), a prototypical class D GPCR present within Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast). Ste2 is responsible for initiating the second messenger signal …

Encapsulation Of Cationic Fluorescent Dyes And Photosensitizers Into The Nanoscopic Domains Of Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-B-Poly(Ε-Caprolactone) Micelles, Zhe Cao

Theses and Dissertations

This study describes an initial systematic investigation on the molecular determinants associated with the effective encapsulation (or lack thereof) of small cationic molecules into the nanoscopic domains of Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) micelles. Out of the seven model dyes investigated here (methylene blue, crystal violet, rhodamine 123, styryl 9M, HITC, DIR and Cardiogreen) only DiR and Cardiogreen were found to partition into the core region of the respective polymeric micelles with a high degree of efficiency. Evidences of weak interactions between styryl 9M and HITC with the corona region of these micelles were also found. No experimental evidences indicating any significant interaction …

Zinc Chemical Biology: The Pursuit Of The Intracellular Targets Of Zinquin, Andrew Nowakowski

Theses and Dissertations

Fluorescent sensors have been a main microscopic tools used to understand Zn2+ physiology on a cellular level. The use of the fluorescent Zn2+ sensor Zinquin (ZQ) and its analogues have revealed that transient Zn2+ is a chief component in a variety of biochemical pathways. Yet, little work has been performed to validate the exact targets of Zinquin in a cellular environment. The goals of this investigation are to determine the types of Zinquin reactions that take place in the cell as well as the identities of its cellular targets.

It has been hypothesized that Zinquin reacts with free Zn2+ within …

An Optical-Fiber Based Sensor Array For The Simultaneous Analysis Of Zinc And Copper In Aqueous Environments, Steven Kopitzke

Theses and Dissertations

Copper and zinc are elements commonly used in industrial applications, with many of these processes using these elements in aqueous environments. Before the solutions can be discharged into civil or native waterways, waste treatment processes must be undertaken to ensure compliance with federal, state and local guidelines restricting the concentration of ions discharged in solution. While there are methods of analysis currently available to monitor these solutions, each method has disadvantages, be it that they are cost prohibitive, inaccurate, and/or time-consuming. In this work, a new optical fiber-based platform capable of providing fast and accurate results when performing solution analysis …