Photodynamic therapy (PDT) currently utilizes drug and light doses which are primarily based on clinical experience. This can lead to a dose which is not sufficient to destroy the entire tumor, or alternatively, it can lead to the undesirable destruction of healthy tissue around the treatment area. PDT of topically applied photosensitizers is one focus of this research. This concerns the diffusion of an externally applied drug into the tissue, as well as its subsequent destruction during the irradiation procedure. This work involves the non-invasive measurement of the inherent fluorescence of the photosensitizer, allowing the determination of the concentration and distribution of drug within the tissue, and thus optimizing this treatment. To do this, one must be able to describe the propagation of light within the tissue. Consequently, a photon diffusion model has been developed to calculate the steady-state spatially resolved fluorescence from a pencil beam excitation in a depth dependent medium. The validity of this model was then verified by comparison with Monte Carlo simulations and measurements made on phantoms with optical properties similar to those of human tissue. Theoretical conditions were then explored, and potential uses of the model were demonstrated. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

Yes / Structural features from the anticancer prodrug nemorubicin (MMDX) and the DNA-binding molecule DRAQ5™ were used to prepare anthraquinone-based compounds, which were assessed for their potential to interrogate cytochrome P450 (CYP) functional activity and localisation. 1,4-disubstituted anthraquinone 8 was shown to be 5-fold more potent in EJ138 bladder cancer cells after CYP1A2 bioactivation. In contrast, 1,5-bis((2-morpholinoethyl)amino) substituted anthraquinone 10 was not CYP-bioactivated but was shown to be fluorescent and subsequently photo-activated by a light pulse (at a bandwidth 532–587 nm), resulting in punctuated foci accumulation in the cytoplasm. It also showed low toxicity in human osteosarcoma cells. These combined properties provide an interesting prospective approach for opto-tagging single or a sub-population of cells and seeking their location without the need for continuous monitoring.

Les nanoparticules polymériques fluorescentes apparaissent comme des outils importants pour l'imagerie en temps réel des processus biologiques au niveau moléculaire et cellulaire. L’objectif de mon projet de doctorat a été d’optimiser les nanoparticules polymériques fluorescentes pour l’imagerie biologique. Premièrement, nous avons pu, en faisant varier la chimie des polymères, obtenir un très bon contrôle de leur taille. Ceci a permis de mettre en évidence l’importance de la taille des NPs pour des applications intracellulaires avec une taille maximale de 23 nm pour une distribution dans tout le cytosol. Deuxièmement, nous avons pu montrer que la simple adsorption d’un amphiphile PEGylé de type Pluronic permet la stabilisation des nanoparticules dans des milieux biologiques. Le nombre de molécules incorporées et leur stabilité ont été étudiés en combinant des techniques de FRET et de FCS. Les meilleures formulations résultent en une stabilité des nanoparticules in vivo, ce qui a permis leur imagerie en tant que particules individuelles dans les vaisseaux sanguins du cerveau de souris. Troisièmement, le transfert d’énergie entre différents fluorophores encapsulés dans les NPs a été étudié et optimisé. / Fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles appear as important tools for real-time imaging of biological processes at the molecular and cellular level. The objective of my PhD project was to optimize fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles for biological imaging. First, by varying the chemistry of the polymers, we have been able to obtain a very good control of their size. This made it possible to highlight the importance of NPs size for intracellular applications with a maximum size of 23 nm for optimal distribution throughout the cytosol. Secondly, we have shown that simple adsorption of a PEGylated amphiphiles pluronic family allows the stabilization of nanoparticles in biological media. The number of incorporated molecules and their stability has been studied by combining FRET and FCS techniques. The best formulations result in nanoparticle stability in vivo, which allowed their imaging as individual particles in the blood vessels of the mouse brain. Third, energy transfer among different fluorophores encapsulated in NPs has been studied and optimized.

Cette thèse traite de la conception, la synthèse et la caractérisation de chromophores dipolaires D-π-A pour l’imagerie de fluorescence et l’imagerie photoacoustique.La première partie est consacrée à la synthèse et à l’étude de nouveaux fluorophores émettant à l’état solide dans le proche infrarouge, pour l’imagerie de fluorescence biphotonique. Afin d’améliorer les propriétés optiques à l’état solide, nous avons exploré différentes pistes en modifiant d’abord le groupement D donneur d’électron, puis le groupement A accepteur et enfin le pont π conjugué de nos structures dipolaires.La seconde partie concerne l’imagerie photoacoustique. Cette imagerie, basée sur une excitation optique et une détection acoustique, nécessite une forte absorption dans le proche infrarouge. Une des stratégies pour effectuer ce décalage bathochrome de l’absorption a été incorporation de groupements thiophènes à faible aromaticité, afin d’augmenter la délocalisation du système π. Parallèlement, nous avons aussi étudiés des hémicyanines, présentant de fortes absorptions au-delà de 650 nm.Enfin, les colorants ont été formulés en nanoparticules organiques afin d’acquérir une solubilité aqueuse pour leur application en imagerie. Deux types de nanoparticules ont été étudiés : la nanoprécipitation des colorants en présence d’un agent tensioactif, ainsi que l’encapsulation des colorants dans une matrice polymérique amphiphile stabilisée par une couche de silice. Les meilleurs chromophores ont permis l’acquisition d’images de cellules par microscopie biphotonique ainsi que d’images photoacoustiques de circuits microfluidiques et de la microvascularisation de souris in vivo. / This thesis is focused on the conception, synthesis and characterization of dipolar dyes D-π-A for fluorescence imaging and photoacoustic imaging.The first part aim to synthesize and to study new fluorophores emitting in the solid-state in the near-infrared for fluorescence imaging with two-photon excitation. In order to improve the optical properties in the solid-state, we first explored various electron donating groups D, then acceptors A and finally we modified the π bridge. In a second part, we focused on dyes for photoacoustic imaging. This technique is based on an optical excitation and an acoustic detection. It requires a strong absorption in the biological window. To red shift the absorption we incorporated a thiophene bridge with low aromaticity to increase the delocalization. We also studied several hemicyanines with strong absorption above 650 nm.Finally, dyes were formulated as water-soluble nanoparticles for their final application for imaging. Two types of nanoparticles were studied: nanoprecipitated dyes stabilized by a surfactant to increase the colloidal stability or encapsulated dyes in a amphiphilic polymer matrix stabilized with a silica shell. Those nanoparticles enabled cells imaging with biphotonic florescence imaging as well as photoacoustic imaging of a microfluidic chip and of the microvascularisation of mice ears in vivo.

Le tétrathiafulvalène (TTF) est un composé organique remarquable de par la simplicité de sa structure et la diversité de ses applications. Depuis près d'une quarantaine d'années, ce donneur d'électrons-π a stimulé la recherche autour de matériaux cristallins conducteurs voire supraconducteurs. Tout récemment, le TTF a fait son apparition dans de nouveaux types de matériaux organiques, les organogels. La première partie de ce travail décrit la conception et l'optimisation structurale des premiers précurseurs d'organogels multifonctionnels à base TTF. L'étude des différents paramètres structuraux gouvernant la formation des organogels et la caractérisation des xérogels correspondants, par différentes techniques de microcopie, est présentée. La robustesse de ces gels est illustrée par leur persistance après oxydation à l'iode, fournissant des xérogels conducteurs. La présence d'unités pyrène au sein des molécules gélifiantes a également permis une incorporation maîtrisée de nanotubes de carbone simple paroi (NTC). Ces premiers exemples de xérogels conducteurs intégrant des NTCs présentent une morphologie et des propriétés conductrices remarquablement modifiées par rapport aux gels qui en sont dépourvus, traduisant un effet positif de structuration du gel par les NTCs. La multifonctionnalité de ces composés associant sites redox, de complexation et fluorophores, leur confère également un intérêt vers la préparation de portes logiques moléculaires, pour lesquelles une étude des paramètres initiaux (électrochimie, fluorescence) est réalisée. La seconde partie de ce travail s'inscrit dans la continuité, par la synthèse de différentes architectures moléculaires conformationnellement flexibles, associant le TTF et différents motifs accepteurs ou fluorophores sur la périphérie d'édifices calix[4]arène ou biphényle. Différents aspects du comportement dynamique de ces systèmes, ainsi que la synthèse de nouvelles briques moléculaires sont explorés.

Carbocyanine dyes are organic compounds containing chains of conjugated methine groups with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents at the terminal heterocycles of the general formula [R1-(CH)n-R2]+X-. The synthetic methodology and optical properties of carbocyanines will be discussed. This thesis consists of two parts: (A) synthesis and optical properties of novel carbocyanine dyes substituted with various amines and the synthesis of unsymmetrical carbocyanine dyes containing monofunctional groups for bioconjugation. (B) synthesis of heptamethine carbocyanine dyes to be used for image-guided surgery. In part A, the synthesis of carbocyanine dyes functionalized with various amines and studies of their optical properties with respect to absorbance, fluorescence, quantum yield and extinction coefficient will be presented. These property studies will aid in designing efficient dyes for future biomedical applications. Part A will also include a one pot synthesis of unsymmetrical carbocyanine dyes functionalized with mono carboxylic acid chains, useful for biomolecule (i.e. proteins, amino acids, etc.) conjugation. Part B will describe the synthesis of novel carbocyanine dyes to be used for cancer image-guided surgery. Cancers are thus far incurable diseases, i.e. there are no drugs currently available to cure cancer; however, by designing a dye to visualize tumor cells will greatly increase the efficiency of cancer removal and hopefully increase the survival rate of cancer patients. The dyes reported in this thesis are superior to commercially available dyes used to visualize and identify various tumors invisible to the naked eye of surgeons with regards to biodistribution and clearance through kidney filtration.

Fluorescent labeling can improve the detection sensitivity in capillary electrophoretic (CE) separations down to attomolar concentrations. However, most fluorescent labels are not compatible with CE because their fluorescence properties and charge states are pH-dependent, they are often hydrophobic and they have a tendency to significantly change the properties of the analytes after labeling. A group of fluorescent labeling reagents have been prepared whose fluorophores have properties that are optimized for CE separations. These fluorophores have fluorescence properties and charge states that are independent of pH in the 2 < pH < 11 range. Their excitation maxima are also compatible with the 488 nm line of the Argon ion laser. A mono-cationic acridine-based fluorescent label was prepared and was found to not shift the pI of a labeled model protein in capillary isoelectric focusing separation (cIEF). Lower loading, due to increased sensitivity, led to better resolution of closely spaced isoform peaks having a pI = 0.05. A tri-anionic pyrene-based fluorescent labeling reagent was also synthesized and was used in the sodium dodecyl sulfate capillary gel electrophoresis (SDS-CGE) separation of proteins. The fluorophore led to an LOQ in the nM range, and did not alter the migration behavior of proteins in the sieving matrix. A third fluorescent labeling reagent was developed as a solid phase reagent (SPR) where the fluorophore was immobilized on a solid surface through a cleavable anchor. The fluorophore is di-anionic and is based on pyrene. The SPR was designed to allow the simultaneous capture and labeling of an analyte and the efficient release of the label-analyte conjugate under mild acidic conditions. The use of the SPR allowed the labeling of a diamine whose concentration was in the low nanomolar range. The SPR opens up the possibility for mono-labeling and proportional multiple labeling of proteins.

Regensburg, Univ., Diss., 2004.

La mélatonine est une neurohormone synthétisée au niveau de la glande pinéale durant la période nocturne chez l'ensemble des mammifères. Les sécrétions de cette hormone circulante par voie sanguine permette à tout système doté de récepteurs mélatoninergiques (MT1, MT2) de transmettre l'information de photopériode entrainant ainsi une adaptation aux périodes jour/nuit. La mélatonine est impliquée dans de nombreuses fonctions biologiques mais aussi dans diverses pathologies du système nerveux central tel que les troubles du rythmes circadien, l'anxiété, la dépression… A l'heure actuelle, il existe de nombreux ligands affins des ces récepteurs, cependant le manque de marqueurs sélectifs ralentit les recherches associées (pharmacologie). Partant de ce constat, nous avons conçu et synthétisé, selon deux approches différentes, des ligands fluorescents utilisant comme squelette de base, la structure de la mélatonine et certains analogues. Dans une première approche dite conventionnelle, les ligands mélatoninergiques sont associés à un fluorophore organique au moyen d'un bras espaceur et dans une seconde approche plus novatrice, le noyau indolique du ligand endogène est fusionné avec un pyrrole par analogie avec les fluorophores de types BODIPYs ®, puis dans une troisième partie, dérivée de la précédente, la mélatonine est fonctionnaliser par un hétérocycle azoté capable de chélater un atome de bore. Les évaluations pharmacologiques de ces composés ont montré de bonnes affinités de l'ordre du nanomolaire pour les récepteurs MT1 et MT2. Les études photophysiques ont confirmé la fluorescence induite par les fluorophores dans l'approche conventionnelle, et ont surtout montré l'existence de fluorescence par simple modification structurale de la mélatonine endogène. Les tests d'imagerie cellulaire ont également permis de valider ces méthodologies. / Melatonin is a main neurohormone synthesized in the pineal gland during the night in all mammals. Secretions of the blood circulating hormone through any system endowed melatoninergic receptors (MT1, MT2) transmit information leading to photoperiod and adaptation of the day / night periods. Melatonin is involved in many biological functions but also in various diseases of the central nervous system such as circadian rhythm disorders, anxiety, depression... Actually, there are many affinity receptors ligands, however, research on the pharmacology and the functionality of melatonin receptors suffers from the lack of selective probes for these two receptors. In order to overcome this scientific obstacle, we designed and synthesized fluorescent melatonin ligands according two different approaches. In a first conventional approach the melatoninergic ligands are tagged with an organic fluorophore via a linker. In a second approach more innovative, the indole ring of the endogenous ligand is fused with a pyrrole in order to obtain a structural analogy with the fluorophores BODIPYs types. In a third series derived from the previous one, melatonin is functionalized with a aza-heterocycle able to chelate a boron atom. Pharmacological evaluations of these compounds have shown nanomolar affinity for the receptors. Photophysical studies confirmed the fluorescence induced by the fluorescent dye in the conventional approach, and induced by simple melatonin structural modifications in the orthers. Preliminary cell imaging have also validated the methodologies.

The aim of the diploma thesis was to prepare and characterize fluorescence sensor systems based on fluorophores and supramolecular components - cyclodextrins - attached to solid supports. In this work, functionalized 75 µm glass beads and two types of Nafion membranes were used as negatively charged solid surfaces. Derivatives of naphthalimide with a positively charged part allowing the attachment to surfaces were synthesized. The positively charged naphthalimide derivative was then attached on negatively charged surfaces via electrostatic interactions and the binding to the solid supports was examined using UV-VIS spectroscopy. Alternatively, the positively charged β-cyclodextrin derivative was also attached to the surface in an equimolar ratio with PNI-HEMPDA. The focus of the work were measurements of fluorescence sensor responses in the gas and liquid phase to linear alcohols - methanol to n-hexanol - for all sensor systems. For the studied sensor systems, the selected sensor parameters were determined - sensitivity, the limit of detection, linear dynamic range and a sensor response time constant. A practical application of the novel sensor system for the detection of ethanol in gasoline was examined. Fluorescence sensor response measurements of the prepared systems based on naphthalimide and...