Luminescent Metal Compounds for Bio-sensing of DNA Mismatches and Protein Microenvironment: Cancer Diagnosis and Theranostic Agents
Grant Data
Project Title
Luminescent Metal Compounds for Bio-sensing of DNA Mismatches and Protein Microenvironment: Cancer Diagnosis and Theranostic Agents
Principal Investigator
Professor Che, Chi Ming
(Project Coordinator (PC))
Co-Investigator(s)
Dr To Wai Pong
(Co-Investigator)
Dr Lok Chun Nam
(Co-Investigator)
Dr Lam Tsz Lung
(Co-Investigator)
Duration
18
Start Date
2019-04-01
Completion Date
2020-09-30
Amount
1389200
Conference Title
Luminescent Metal Compounds for Bio-sensing of DNA Mismatches and Protein Microenvironment: Cancer Diagnosis and Theranostic Agents
Keywords
Bio-sensing of DNA Mismatches, Cancer Diagnosis, Luminescent Metal Compounds, Protein Microenvironment, Theranostic Agents
Discipline
Others - Physical Sciences
Panel
Physical Sciences (P)
HKU Project Code
ITS/488/18
Grant Type
Innovation and Technology Support Programme (Tier 3)
Funding Year
2018
Status
Completed
Objectives
Detection of specific biomolecular structures via small molecule probes is an innovative approach for development of rapid diagnostic methods of some cancer biomarkers which may not be readily detected by conventional immunological and genetic methods. Luminescent cyclometalated metal complexes are potent bio-probes as their emission properties are rich and tunable, and which can undergo drastic changes in both emission wavelength and intensity with subtle change in local microenvironment. We have reported the first luminescent platinum(II) complexes that selectively bind to DNA mismatches with marked enhancement in emission intensity compared to matched DNA and applied these complexes for detecting mismatched DNA in cancer cells with different levels of DNA mismatch repair activities. In this project, we will strategically improve the performance of these platinum(II) complexes in mismatched DNA detection via enhancement of emission intensity, change in emission color upon DNA binding, and improved signal-to-noise ratio. We will develop luminescent dinuclear platinum(II) complexes to achieve specific biosensing of protein conformation and microenvironment for molecular and cellular analysis, and explore the theranostic applications of a new class of patentable, strongly luminescent iridium compounds bearing bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. The proposed project will bring in innovative, patentable technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment based on state-of-the-art luminescent metal chemistry.