לוח שנה משולב

Over years’ transition metal-catalyzed C-H activation has propelled the field of organic synthesis for the construction of structurally complex and diverse molecules in resource-economical fashion. In this context, non-directed C-H activation has gained unprecedented attention for attaining region-specific C-H functionalizations in a step-economic mode. Unlike traditional Fujiwara-Moritani reaction, this approach relies on ligand assistance and thus uses arene as the limiting reagent. However, all existing non-directed C-H functionalizations utilize high thermal energy to induce the functional group which eventually put the regioselectivity at stake. In addition, use of super stoichiometric costly silver salts to regenerate the catalyst produces unwanted metal waste. In aid of developing a more sustainable and environmentally benign approach, we have established a photoredox catalytic system by a merger of palladium/organo-photocatalyst(PC) which forges highly regeiospecific C-H olefination of diverse arenes and heteroarenes. Visible light nullifies the requirement of silver salts and thermal energy in executing “region-resolved” Fujiwara-Moritani reaction.

Understanding the neural bases of behavior and cognition requires determining how mechanistically distinct processing elements combine to carry out brain function at an integrated level. In this talk, I will introduce some of our laboratory’s efforts to address this goal using a combination of molecular sensors with noninvasive wide-field imaging. In the first part of the talk, I will discuss how workhorse optical neuroimaging approaches have inspired the design of molecular MRI probes for sensing physiological variables. Some of these probes detect light, providing a means for deep-tissue MRI-assisted optical imaging. I will next introduce an alternative molecular imaging concept inspired by widely used hemodynamic functional MRI techniques. By reengineering some of the proteins and peptides involved in neurovascular coupling, it is possible to create sensitive probes for a variety of neurobiological targets. I will illustrate how this strategy can be used to elucidate patterns of information flow and neurochemically specific functional connectivity in brain circuitry, with anticipated utility for deciphering mechanisms of learning and sensory processing in rodents and primates.

TBA..

Medicine is taking its first steps toward patient-specific cancer care. Nanoparticles have many potential benefits for treating cancer, including the ability to transport complex molecular cargoes, including siRNA and protein, as well as targeting specific cell populations.
The talk will explain the fundamentals of nanotechnology, from ‘barcoded nanoparticles’ that target sites of cancer where they perform a programmed therapeutic task. Specifically, liposomes diagnose the tumor and metastasis for their sensitivity to different medications, providing patient-specific drug activity information that can be used to improve the medication choice.
The talk will also describe how liposomes can be used for degrading the pancreatic stroma to allow subsequent drug penetration into pancreatic adenocarcinoma and how nanoparticle’ biodistribution and anti-cancer efficacy are impacted by the patient’s sex and, more specifically, the menstrual cycle.
The evolution of drug delivery systems into synthetic cells, programmed nanoparticles that have an autonomous capacity to synthesize diagnostic and therapeutic proteins inside the body, and their promise for treating cancer and immunotherapy, will be discussed.


















References:
1) Theranostic barcoded nanoparticles for personalized cancer medicine, Yaari et al. Nature Communications, 2016, 7, 13325
2) Collagenase nanoparticles enhance the penetration of drugs into pancreatic tumors, Zinger et al., ACS Nano, 13 (10), 11008-11021, 2019
3) Targeting neurons in the tumor microenvironment with bupivacaine nanoparticles reduces breast cancer progression and metastases, Science Advances, Kaduri et al., 7 (41), eabj5435, 2021
4) Nanoparticles accumulate in the female reproductive system during ovulation affecting cancer treatment and fertility, Poley et al., ACS nano, 2022