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The terminal ligand in [(Ph₂phen)₂Ru(dpp)RhCl₂(TL)](PF₆)₃ (Ph2phen = 4,7-diphenyl1,10-phenanthroline; dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine; TL = terminal ligand – a 4,4′-disubstituted-2,2′-bipyridine where the substituent was carbomethoxy (dcmbpy), hydrogen (bpy) or methyl (Me₂bpy)). The electron-withdrawing ability of the substituent was shown to increase the rate of chloride loss upon electrochemical reduction, facilitating catalytic water reduction. The electronic properties of the terminal ligand also impact the photophysical properties of the molecule. The excited state lifetime of the complex with a dcmbpy terminal ligand was 93 ns while the excited state lifetimes of the complexes with a bpy or Me₂bpy terminal ligand were 44 ns and 47 ns, respectively. Ligand substitution was shown to influence the photocatalytic water reduction activity of these complexes with the dcmbpy complex producing approximately twice the amount of hydrogen (62 ± 7 turnovers in 20 h) as the other two complexes. / Master of Science

Cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth. Even though researchers have made significant progress in its treatment over the past several decades, innovative therapeutic approaches that both improve patient survival and lessen the many debilitating side effects of conventional cancer treatments are vital. Accordingly, we first investigated the mechanism of interaction of a bimetallic complex, Ru(II)-Rh(III), with DNA. Non-covalent binding of Ru(II)-Rh(III) is strong and involves electrostatic and, potentially, groove binding interactions. Ru(II)-Rh(III) photobinds and photocleaves DNA through an O2-independent, metal-center mediated mechanism that could be beneficial in hypoxic tumors. Furthermore, the extent of covalent binding and cleavage of DNA, which inhibit PCR amplification, is dependent upon the strength of the non-covalent interactions. These results suggest that the toxicity of Ru(II)-Rh(III) could be selectively generated in tissues irradiated with light (e.g., a tumor). Secondly, we identified protein combinations selectively present in melanoma, which could be utilized in heteromultivalency. Heteromultivalent scaffolds display higher affinity towards cells that express a protein combination in comparison to those with only one of the proteins, which facilitates cell discrimination. Using an empirically-optimized threshold-based screening method and expression profiles of melanoma patients and normal tissues, we identified surface proteins and protein combinations that are selectively found in melanoma patients and not in normal tissues. After a preliminary validation process using the scientific literature, we used immunofluorescence to confirm differential expression of some of these combinations in established melanoma cell lines in comparison to immortalized keratinocytes controls. Finally, we investigated the resazurin assay, a method used for the evaluation of proliferation and cytotoxicity in more than 2,000 publications. We found that only ~14% of these utilized validated assay conditions, while ~40% failed to report essential analytical parameters needed for their replication. We evaluated assay parameters needed for accurate estimation of cell number in eight cell lines, and found that these are highly variable and independent of tissue type, growth kinetics, and energetic parameters. Furthermore, we obtained some insights into the biochemical reduction of resazurin and proposed minimum reporting standards, along with a sample protocol for assay validation. / PHD / Cancer, a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth, is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. Even though researchers have made significant progress in its treatment over the past several decades, innovative therapeutic approaches that both improve survival outcome and lessen the many debilitating side-effects of conventional cancer treatments are vital. First, we investigated the mechanism of interaction of a particular molecule, Ru(II)- Rh(III), with DNA. We found that Ru(II)-Rh(III) is strongly attracted to DNA due to its charge and an interaction with the indentations along its helix. Upon light activation only, Ru(II)-Rh(III) binds to and cleaves DNA without the need for molecular oxygen, which is scarce in tumors and can limit the activity of other drugs, and to an extent that is affected by the concentration of ions in the solution. Thus, the cytotoxic effect of Ru(II)-Rh(III) might be selectively activated in those tissues that are irradiated with light (e.g., a tumor). Secondly, we identified protein combinations selectively present in melanoma, which could be utilized in heteromultivalency. Heteromultivalent scaffolds bind strongly to cells that express a combination of proteins rather than one protein at a time, making them excellent candidates for delivering a payload in a selective manner. Using expression profiles of melanoma and normal tissues, we identified surface proteins and protein combinations that are selectively found in melanoma patients and not in normal tissues. After a preliminary validation process using the scientific literature, we used confirmed differences in the expression intensities of some of these combinations in melanoma cell lines in comparison to normal skin controls. Finally, we investigated the resazurin assay, a method used for the evaluation of cell growth and drug candidates in more than 2,000 publications. We found that only ~14% of these utilized validated assay conditions, while ~40% failed to report essential analytical parameters needed for their replication. We evaluated assay conditions for eight cell lines, and found that these are highly variable and independent of tissue type and some metabolic parameters. Furthermore, we obtained insights into the mechanism through which cells react with resazurin and proposed minimum reporting standards for publications, along with a protocol for assay validation.

Optical imaging methods have the potential to detect ovarian cancer at an early, curable stage. Optical imaging has the disadvantage that high resolution techniques require access to the tissue of interest, but miniature endoscopes that traverse the natural orifice of the reproductive tract, or access the ovaries and fallopian tubes through a small incision in the vagina wall, can provide a minimally-invasive solution. We have imaged both rodent and human ovaries and fallopian tubes with a variety of endoscope-compatible modalities. The recent development of fiber-coupled femtosecond lasers will enable endoscopic multiphoton microscopy (MPM). We demonstrated two-and three-photon excited fluorescence (2PEF, 3PEF), and second-and third-harmonic generation microscopy (SHG, THG) in human ovarian and fallopian tube tissue. A study was undertaken to understand the mechanisms of contrast in these images. Six patients (normal, cystadenoma, and ovarian adenocarcinoma) provided ovarian and fallopian tube biopsies. The tissue was imaged with three-dimensional optical coherence tomography, multiphoton microscopy, and frozen for histological sectioning. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Sudan black. Approximately 1 mu m resolution images were obtained with an excitation source at 1550 nm. 2PEF signal was absent. SHG signal was mainly from collagen. 3PEF and THG signal came from a variety of sources, including a strong signal from fatty connective tissue and red blood cells. Adenocarcinoma was characterized by loss of SHG signal, whereas cystic abnormalities showed strong SHG. There was limited overlap of two-and three-photon signals, suggesting that three-photon imaging can provide additional information for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

When a molecule, which possess a permanent dipole moment is exposed to an intense electric field, its absorption spectrum may be altered. These alterations are manifest as shifts in energy and as changes in band shape and intensity. The electric dichroism of absorption bands can be used to probe the excited state that is formed when a molecule undergoes a transition. The properties that may be investigated include transition polarization, excited state dipole moment and mean polarizability, and field-induced mixing of symmetrically equivalent excited states. The theoretical model and experimental devices that have been developed to determine these properties are presented and discussed. The data, taken in total, and its combination with other existing evidence, adds credence to the assignment of the second excited singlet of aldehydes and ketones to be extravalent, accompanied by relatively large delocalization of electronic charge, and polarized in-planiie and perpendicularly to the C-0 axis.

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<p> </p><p>The interaction between light and organometallic chromophores has been investigated theoretically in a strive for fast optical filters. The main emphasis is on two-photon absorption and excited state absorption as illustrated in the Jablonski diagram. We stress the need for relativistic calculations and have developed methods to address this issue. Furthermore, we present how quantum chemical calculations can be combined with Maxwell's equations in order to simulate propagation of laser pulses through a materials doped with chromophores with high two-photon absorption cross sections. Finally, we also discuss how fast agile filters using spin-transition materials can be modeled in order to accomplish theoretical material design.</p> / Report code: LIU-TEK-LIC-2006:55. On the day of the defence date the status on article III was Manuscript, article IV was Accepted and article V was Submitted.