RECAL:A New Tool for Disease Detection and Biomolecular Imaging

Project SummaryAbstract We envision developing a new ultrasensitive detection platform that combines a recombinant protein with a unique imaging media that results in a luminescent protein that is non bleaching and non blinkingThe excitation and emission wavelengths of this protein can be tuned with the choice of imaging media and span much of the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagneticWe will refer to this new platform as RECALRECALemits light as phosphorescencebut its unique properties result in an overall luminescence intensity that rivals and surpasses many fluorescent organic molecules and can be engineered into a luminescent upconversion probes in which IR excitation will lead to visible luminescenceThis will surely allow for the effective use of RECALas a medical diagnostic tool in tissuebloodand urine samples or environmentalhomeland security devices to name but a fewThis proposal has three aimsAimDevelop the RECALinto a microscale ELISA based medical diagnostic kit for markersassociated with liver function and compare its superior sensitivity and marketability to that ofstate of the art ELISA based medical diagnostic kits in the current marketAimTest the feasibility of using RECALas a recombinant in vivo imaging technology and exploitits long luminescent lifetime and photochemical stability to suppress unwanted background inorder to increase its sensitivity over existing GFP fusion technologiesAimExploit the unique photophysics of associated with RECALto develop biomolecular imagingtechnology that absorbs multiple IR photons resulting in visible luminescenceOur goal is to develop commercially viable RECALproducts that will have far reaching benefits for medical diagnosticsbiomedical researchhomeland securityand ultimately human health RECALis a new ultrasensitive detection platform that combines a recombinant protein with unique imaging media that results in a luminescent protein that is non bleachingnon blinkingand has a luminescence intensity that rivals and surpasses many fluorescent organic moleculesThe excitation and emission wavelengths of this protein can be tuned with the choice of imaging media and span much of the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagneticBecause of its unique photophysical propertiesRECALwill be developed into ultrasensitive medical diagnostic and forensic technologies and probes for bimolecular imaging