Chemistry Seminar: Light Directed Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer
Light Directed Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer
Sara Shaut
Chemistry MS Candidate
School of Chemistry and Materials Science, RIT
Ms. Shaut will present utilizing a targeting peptide synthesized in their lab to develop a molecularly targeted photodynamic therapy agent for breast cancer.
Abstract:
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with one in eight being diagnosed in their lifetimes, and nearly 2 million new cases each year in the U.S. alone. The current treatment options for breast cancer, however, are limited depending on the stage and type of breast cancer and most often have detrimental side effects. To minimize these side effects, a therapy that is targeted for breast cancer, less toxic to non-cancerous cells with fewer debilitating side effects would be preferred. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a type of localized, light-based therapy that has minimal side effects and utilizes the photochemical properties of dyes called photosensitizers that are excited by a laser beam to kill cancerous cells. Though only clinically approved at this time for non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and some skin cancers it shows promise for others cancers- like breast cancer. PDT is effective in areas of the body that light can penetrate or can be reached in procedures like lumpectomies to augment a positive outcome. The research we are undertaking is to utilize a targeting peptide synthesized in our lab to develop a molecularly targeted photodynamic therapy agent for breast cancer. Our second goal is to synthesize a dual-modal imaging and therapy molecule for the dual visualization and treatment of breast cancer.
Speaker Bio:
Sara Shaut was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. During her undergraduate career, she was an active part of the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) community, where she served as a mentor, and started a creative writing club. She worked as a Chemical Analyst at Scientific Analytical Institute, an environmental testing lab, for nearly 2 years performing EPA, NIOSH, and ASTM method heavy metals analysis. Sara left this position this past summer to attend RIT and pursue a Master’s degree in the Chemistry MS program. She is currently a first-year graduate student within this program and looking forward to using it towards a career in industry.
Intended Audience:
All are welcome.
To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu
Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
Open to the Public
Interpreter Requested?
No