Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Chemistry

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Chapter 1 presents a concise introduction to the synthesis of boron dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) and aza-BODIPYs, the structure and structure-function of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), an introduction to molecular imaging and a brief summary of cellular or cell-based assays, all of which are central ideas in this dissertation.

Chapter 2 focuses on peptide chemistry including background information on peptides as well as their significance in various applications. The synthesis of peptides using solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) together with the origins of peptide synthesis is also explored. Finally, various conjugation methods of peptides to fluorophores are discussed.

Chapter 3 centers on the first project published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, which outlines the design, synthesis and evaluation of BODIPY-peptide bioconjugates. These bioconjugates were subsequently evaluated for their binding affinity to EGFR utilizing analytical and cell-based methodologies. Computational methods, cellular assays and animal models were also utilized to determine the competencies of these bioconjugates.

Chapter 4 explores the most recent project of aza-BODIPY and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) synthesis and the strategy to conjugate aza-BODIPYs to TKIs and peptides for the use as a photosensitizer (PS) or photosensitizing agent for applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Date

3-31-2021

Committee Chair

Vicente, Graca

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.5525

Available for download on Tuesday, March 14, 2028

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