DR. ARTHUR TINOCO

The Tinoco laboratory focuses on the biological use of transition metals to learn new and exciting chemistry performed by these metals and to apply these findings for therapeutic use. Our laboratory has made significant advances in understanding the aqueous coordination chemistry of titanium(IV) with biomolecular ligands that might facilitate bioavailable formulations of the metal. We now seek to extend our understanding by exploring the functionalization of titanium(IV) in water. Recent evidence suggests that UV illumination of Ti(IV) complexes has the potential of reducing oxygen and generating reactive oxygen species. This has been observed with the anatase formulation of titanium dioxide. Little is known about other formulations of titanium that may be activated by UV illumination. The REU student will explore carboxylate containing ligands such as citrate and redox active ligands such as DOPA-containing peptides to investigate their potential to photoreduce titanium(IV) to titanium(III), a notoriously strong reducing agent, in the presence of UV. The student will also apply this work to coordination complexes of titanium(IV) with reactive oxygen species such as the peroxo ligand. The UV illuminated activities of the complexes will be explored in different cell lines and the identity of the reactive oxygen species generated will be determined using standard assays. These studies will give insight into a new approach to photodynamic therapy. The student will be exposed to peptide synthesis, coordination chemistry, and cell-based experiments and will learn several spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, NMR, etc.) and purification methods (HPLC).

To contact Dr. Tinoco you can write to the bellow address
E-mail: atinoco9278@gmail.com