Optional ZOOM LINK
Meeting ID: 982 3807 0773
Passcode: 481104

In the first part of the talk, applications of near infrared fluorophores for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) will be discussed. Surgical resection remains the primary, and sometimes only, potentially curative treatment option for many cancers. Our lab has focused on two primary approaches to intraoperatively detect tumors: (1) Use of self-assembled nanoparticles composed of hyaluronic acid to deliver near infrared fluorophores to tumors and (2) dye-labeled antibodies targeted towards tumor-associated mucins. The strengths and challenges of each contrast agent approach will be discussed, including a focus on the breadth of tumor models investigated, including breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. An update on the preclinical advancement of these agents will be provided.

In the second part of the talk, our work on bacterial pathogen identification will be described. Timely and efficient identification of pathogenic microorganisms is of high importance for public health and safety. Most currently developed sensing methods are based on optical and/or electrochemical techniques, where selectivity is achieved by using antibodies, their fragments, natural or engineered peptides, or aptamers. Important limitations for using these elements as a part of the sensor are cost, stability, special handling, and a narrow range of analytes that can be detected. Here, a sensor array for multivariate analysis based on small molecule ratiometric fluorescent dyes will be described, including bacterial species and gram status identification, adaptation to a paper-based platform, and pattern analysis approaches.

Hosted by Professor Kimberly Samkoe.

About the Speaker(s)

Aaron Mohs
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNMC College of Pharmacy

Aaron Mohs is a professor of pharmaceutical sciences, the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at UNMC College of Pharmacy, and a member of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. He received his BA in chemistry from St. John's University/College of St. Benedict (Collegeville, MN), and his PhD in pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Utah. Mohs completed his postdoctoral fellowship in the joint Emory-Georgia Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering, as an Emory-Georgia Tech Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence Distinguished Fellow. He leads a research program on the development of fluorescent probes to guide the surgical resection of tumors, fluorescent sensor array technology that can rapidly detect and identify bacterial pathogens, and drug delivery systems to target multiple myeloma. Mohs is a recipient of the 2017 UNMC New Investigator award, 2019 UNMC Distinguished Scientist award, and the College of Pharmacy Impact Award, and was selected as a Fellow of the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska. Prior to UNMC, Mohs was an assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the Wake Forest–Virginia Tech School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences.

Contact

For more information, contact Amos Johnson at amos.l.johnson@dartmouth.edu.