In vivo optical imaging of proteolysis in inflammatory and tumor microenvironments can be monitored through excitable fluorophore-labeled probes using a graft copolymer of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly-L-lysine as a carrier molecule. In this project, both in vitro and cell culture experiments were performed to investigate the major mechanisms of PGC-fluorophore probe cleavage via stromal cell proteases. It was observed that trypsin-mediated cleavage of PGC-fluorophore probes results in distinct fragment sizes, a 2-fold increase in fluorescence intensity, and a rapid 1.5-fold increase in fluorescence lifetime. Finally, it was observed that human squamous carcinoma cells uptake probes faster than normal human dermal fibroblasts with a greater fluorescence intensity over time.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lopez, Jessica Clotilde

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042413-193311

Advisor

• Adams, David S.
• Heilman, Destin

Year

• 2013

Sponsor

• Umass Medical Center

Date created

• 2013-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright