Bryan A. Smith

Imaging has recently began to play an increasing role in preclinincal and clinical cancer research. The development of molecular probes that are highly specific for molecular targets on cancerous cells has allowed researchers to locate tumors in vivo via non-invasive imaging modalities.  My research focuses on in vivo fluorescence optical imaging of tumors using a near-infrared (NIR) probe containing a Zn(II)-dipicolylamine (Zn-DPA) affinity ligand.  Our lab has shown that the Zn-DPA ligand has affinity for anionic charges on both bacteria and apoptotic cells allowing for their detection both in vitro and in vivo. Certain solid tumors are known to contain areas of cell death, which appear to be targeted by our NIR Zn-DPA probe in vivo.  I am also investigating the ability of our NIR Zn-DPA probe to image chemotherapeutic and radiation efficacy in vivo using both mouse and rat tumor models.

My future work will entail the use of next generation Zn-DPAs, that have higher affinity for anionic charges, in detecting tumors in vivo.  Additionally, I will be investigating new methods for increasing signal to noise ratios in fluorescence imaging via 1) tumor targeting bacteria and 2) anionic phospholipids for pretargeting. Futhermore, I will examine the anti-tumor activity of Zn-DPA-FITC conjugate-targeted immunotherapy.