Research in this area is led by Dr Emilia Bertolo|. Fluorescence chemosensors can be applied in a wide range of disciplines, such as medical diagnostics and physiological imaging (neurobiology, for example), biochemical investigations, environmental monitoring, biotechnology, drug discovery and cell biology.
A fluorescence chemosensor results from combining a binding site (an organic molecule whose mission is to attach to the target compound) and one or more fluorescence probes, which provide the fluorescence properties. The target can be a metal ion, an anion or an organic molecule. As a result of the interaction with the target, the sensor will exhibit a new fluorescence behaviour. The analysis of these behavioural changes provides valuable information on the type of interactions between the sensor and the target compounds, and the effect of external factors (solvent, pH, temperature, light, etc) on these interactions.
This research is carried out in collaboration with Dr Lodeiro and Dr Capelo|, researchers at the Universidade de Vigo (Vigo, Spain). We are trying to prepare new sensors capable of recognising specific metals selectively. The chemosensors are prepared in Canterbury and the fluorescence studies are conducted in Portugal.
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