Development of novel functional molecules that selectively functions under disease-specific microenvironment

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08019
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Drug development chemistry
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: HIRANO Tomoya 東京医科歯科大学, 生体材料工学研究所, 准教授 (20396980)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 有機化学 / 分析化学 / 蛍光 / pH / 粘性 / 天然物 / 薬学 / 分子イメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Disease-specific changes of microenvironment could be utilized for diagnosis and drug delivery system. In this research, we have developed various fluorescent sensors for such change. For example, sensors for a specific range of pH, which show “OFF-ON-OFF” type of change and enable detailed analysis of physiological functions. And fluorescent sensors for viscosity change have also been developed. We focused on natural compounds as the source of such molecules, and fluorescent natural compounds, Amarastelline A and Nigakinone, were identified. Based on them, fluorescent compounds with unique and useful functions were also obtained. In addition, the function as a sensor was converted to that as a photoremovable protecting group. By using similar scaffold, we have developed protecting group, which could be photo-removed under a specific range of pH.

Free Research Field

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