MSE PhD Prospectus Defense of Alexander Saeboe

TITLE: ZnSe/InP/ZnS QUANTUM DOTS FOR MULTIPLEXED TISSUE DEPTH IMAGING

ABSTRACT: Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticle fluorophores with size tunable emission wavelengths and large absorption cross sections, making them ideal optical imaging agents. Their potential is only limited by the strong tissue attenuation of light at visible wavelengths, and the lack of non-toxic QDs emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength regime. Here we demonstrate a heavy metal free core/shell/shell QD system, ZnSe/InP/ZnS, where the emission color is a function of InP shell thickness and tunable across the NIR-I. We will functionalize these QDs to target breast cancer biomarkers, with each biomarker-QD complex emitting at distinct wavelengths in the NIR. After demonstrating successful targeting in vitro and biocompatibility in vivo, we propose to use these targeted QDs as a preclinical tool to non-invasively determine the biomarker state of human breast cancer tumor xenografts in vivo via multiplexed optical imaging. This would drive development of personalized therapies forward.

COMMITTEE: ADVISOR Professor Allison Dennis, MSE/BME; Professor Darren Roblyer, BME; Professor Tyrone Porter, MSE/ME; Professor Sam Thiagalingam, MED

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