Designing and synthesizing raman imaging probes to monitor chemical interactions and dynamics of polymer-based gene delivery vehicles in biological cells
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy excites molecular vibrations, which can be used to monitor the structural dynamics of chemical bonds in molecules. However, many biomolecules are difficult to visualize with Raman alone due to weak signals and cellular background noise. My research focuses on developing Raman probes that are both intense and chemically sensitive, enabling real-time tracking of biomolecules in live cells, and monitoring of chemical dynamics. These tags will be attached to synthetic gene delivery polymers to better understand the chemical interactions that contribute to effective gene delivery.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
David Punihaole
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biochemistry
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Designing and synthesizing raman imaging probes to monitor chemical interactions and dynamics of polymer-based gene delivery vehicles in biological cells
Raman spectroscopy excites molecular vibrations, which can be used to monitor the structural dynamics of chemical bonds in molecules. However, many biomolecules are difficult to visualize with Raman alone due to weak signals and cellular background noise. My research focuses on developing Raman probes that are both intense and chemically sensitive, enabling real-time tracking of biomolecules in live cells, and monitoring of chemical dynamics. These tags will be attached to synthetic gene delivery polymers to better understand the chemical interactions that contribute to effective gene delivery.