The Glass lab has been involved in the preparation of fluorescent sensors for detection of biologically important organic compounds in aqueous media. Fluorescent sensors are compounds which produce visible fluorescence in the presence of a target molecule (analyte). Such sensors have been used to visually trace the presence of certain analytes in and around cells. These studies have proven to be invaluable for the elucidation of cellular mechanisms by giving real-time information about the environment of a cell in a non-destructive manner. However, biologically useful sensors for organic compounds have lagged behind those for metal ions and cellular conditions such as pH and pO2. The main challenge in preparing sensors for organic compounds is obtaining specific, high affinity recognition of the analyte of interest in the complex media of the cell.
Part of The Investigator's Annexe program.