Mai Doan
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Raoul Kopelman
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Chemistry / LSA
Program: UROP
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Meredith Doan, Hythem Beydoun , Ryan Kim, Christopher Davis, Kimberlee Kearfott
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment’s accumulation of potassium (K+) has been shown to inhibit immunotherapy. The measurement of K+ concentrations in tumors is very important to the development of cancer research and treatment, as it determines what treatment would be most effective to a particular tumor. Currently there are no ways to measure K+ concentrations in tumors in vivo. To solve this issue, we have developed a K+ nanosensor that serves as a photoacoustic contrast agent. We developed an ionophore-based sensor with a solvatochromic dye transducer that reacts to K+ concentrations due to equilibrium. This sensor consists of a solvatochromic dye, ionophore, and a negatively charged buffer. This then allows us to analyze the absorbance values using a simple linear calibration curve. This sensor was able to successfully measure these concentrations. However, the current ionophore used in this sensor, valinomycin, is very toxic to the human body. Continuing this project, we are currently researching a new nanosensor that is less toxic to the human body and still accurately measures the K+ concentrations. A potential solution is using Potassium Ionophore 3 (Also known as BME-44 or KI3), in place of valinomycin. Using a high-throughput device that allows us to test up to 24 trials at once, we were able to obtain a solution that could inconsistently react in the presence of K+. We are currently continuing to develop a nanosensor that consistently reacts in the presence of K+, but have proven to successfully create a less-toxic model than our previous one.
