Seminar - Ankona Datta

Seminar program:

2pm-3pm Ankona Datta (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research)

Chemical Probes for Lighting up Life Processes

Dynamic changes in molecular levels and distribution are associated with all life processes and importantly regulate key decision-making events in biology. Thus, spatiotemporal dynamics of small molecules and ions are central to biological function ranging all the way from the essential, encompassing cell-signaling, transport, immunity, and recycling, to most pathophysiological conditions including cancers, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. In this backdrop, the ability to catch molecules of life in action using optical imaging modalities is extremely powerful, enabling visualization of the spatial organization and temporal dynamics of molecules within living systems. Central to scientific endeavors in visualizing molecules in action toward deciphering life processes are chemical probes that can non-invasively enter living systems and report on molecular localization in an optical imaging set-up. My research group works on the development of rapid-responsive optical probes and sensors for temporal-tracking, quantification, and imaging of bio-molecules within living systems. Our USP lies in strategically combining fundamental insights from coordination chemistry and molecular recognition along with computations to design novel small-molecule and peptide-based sensors. In this talk, I will highlight our endeavors in chemical sensor development for imaging and tracking essential metal ions1 and signal mediating lipids2, 3 in living cells. Finally, I will touch upon our recent efforts toward live multiplexed imaging of bio-analytes.4

References
1. Kahali, S.; Das, S. K.; Datta, A., et al. Chemical Science 2024, 15 (28), 10753-10769.
2. Kundu, R.; Datta, A., et al. bioRxiv 2024, 2024.06.17.599302.
3. Kundu, R.; Datta, A., et al. JACS Au 2024, 4 (3), 1004-1017.
4. Kahali, S.; Datta, A., et al. JACS Au 2025, 5 (1), 343-352..
5. Das, S. K.; Kahali, S.; Datta, A., et al. ChemBioChem 2024, 25 (21), e202400538.

3pm-3:30pm Peter Reiss (SyMMES)

Development of quantum dots for biosensing and in vivo imaging

3:30pm-4pm Adam Nhari (DCM and LCBM)

Development of two-photon lanthanide-based luminescent bioprobes targeting Reactive Oxygen Species for live cell imaging

4pm Coffee break