PMB

Harmatys KM, Overchuk M, Chen J, Ding L, Chen Y, Pomper MG & Zheng G Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2018 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00636 We describe a simple and effective bioconjugation strategy to extend the plasma circulation of a low molecular weight targeted phototheranostic agent, which achieves high tumor accumulation (9.74 ± 2.26 %ID/g)Continue Reading

Luby BM & Zheng G Angewandte Chemie, 2017 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201707366 MicroRNA detection is a valuable method for determining cell identity. Molecular beacons are elegant sensors that can transform intracellular microRNA concentration into a fluorescence intensity. While target binding enhances beacon fluorescence, the degree of enhancement is insufficient for demanding applications.Continue Reading

Liu TW, Akens MK, Chen J, Wilson BC & Zheng G Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2016 The metastatic spread of cancer from the primary site or organ is one of its most devastating aspects, being responsible for up to 90% of cancer-associated mortality. Bone is one of the common sitesContinue Reading

Liu TW, Chen J, Burgess L, Wilson BC, Zheng G, Zhan L, Liu WK, & Ha BY Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2015 Proteases play key roles in the regulation of normal cellular function, and thus, their deregulation leads to many disease states. Molecular beacons are promising protease-imaging probes forContinue Reading

Mawn TM, Popov AV, Beardsley NJ, Milkevitch M, Stefflova K, Zheng G & Delikatny EJ Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2011 In this article, the characterization of the first near-infrared (NIR) phospholipase-activated molecular beacon is reported, and its utility for in vivo cancer imaging is demonstrated. The probe consists of three elements: aContinue Reading

Lovell JF, Chan MW, Qi Q, Chen J & Zheng G Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2011 Photodynamic therapy (PDT) stands to benefit from improved approaches to real-time treatment monitoring. One method is to use activatable photosensitizers that can both induce cell death (via singlet oxygen) and monitor itContinue Reading

Liu TW, Akens MK, Chen J, Wise-Milestone L, Wilson BC & Zheng G Bioconjugate Chemistry, 2011 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Approximately 85% of patients with advanced cases will develop spinal metastases. The vertebral column is the most common site of breast cancerContinue Reading

Lovell JF, Jin H, Ng KK & Zheng G Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2010 Out in the open: Hydrophobically modified molecular beacons were inserted into lipid nanoparticles. Upon addition of the target DNA to a solution of the lipid nanoparticles, irreversible nanoparticle aggregation occurred (see picture). This aggregation phenomenon resultsContinue Reading