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Chemistry and Biochemstry Department Seminar: Dr. Shawn C. Burdette, WPI |
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| Category: | College Of Arts And Sciences |
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| Date & Time: |
Wednesday, 02/06/2013 from 04:00 PM to 05:30 PM |
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| Location: | Seng 115 | |
| Admission: | Free! | |
| Sponsored by: | Chemistry & Biochemistry Deptartment | |
| Contact: |
Maolin Guo mguo@umassd.edu 508-999-8871 |
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| Description: |
TITLE: "Photochemical Tools for Studying Metal Ion Signaling and Homeostasis"
ABSTRACT: Zn2+ has many well-understood structural and catalytic functions of in biology; in addition, current research suggests that free Zn2+ may function as a neurotransmitter and have a role in the pathology of several neurological diseases. Studying these physiological functions remains challenging because Zn2+ is silent to most common spectroscopic techniques. While fluorescent sensors can be used to image endogenous metal ions, directly correlating fluorescence signals to specific biological events can be difficult. In order to elicit a physiological response, Zn2+ can be released from synaptic vesicles by electrical stimulation, or applied exogenously. Although observations made using these techniques may suggest certain functions, the concentration of Zn2+ used to initiate the activity may not be physiologically relevant. Photocaged compound can circumvent this problem by allowing controlled release of the analyte. Photocaged compounds are metal ion chelators that release analytes when exposure to light of a specific wavelength. We are interested in developing photocaged-complexes for Zn2+ based on classic nitrobenzyl-based photochemistry. |
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