Prof. Zeev Gross

Nitroreductase‑Activated Switchable Corrole for Tumor Imaging: Phosphorus corrole has great potential to perform as fluorescence probe for cancer cells due to its intense fluorescent and large photostability. The current study reports the design and synthesis of a novel nitro-substituted phosphorus corrole probe. This probe demonstrates switchable fluorescence properties, with fluorescence quenching induced by nitro-phenyl groups and restoration upon enzymatic reduction by nitroreductase, an enzyme overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment. The enzyme-responsive fluorescence activation enables selective tumor imaging, offering high contrast and minimal background interference. In addition, organelle-specific targeting will also be explored by adding morpholine groups to a corrole can guide selective accumulation in lysosomes, thereby imaging selectivity. This approach lays the groundwork for corrole-based theranostic agents with potential for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment through enzyme-triggered imaging and targeted delivery.

The project involves the synthesis and characterization of organic compounds for biological applications, specifically for cancer detection and therapy. The desired background includes knowledge in organic synthesis, compound characterization (NMR), and photochemistry (absorption and fluorescence, among others). Therefore, the student should have experience in these areas, while additional knowledge and techniques will be provided and guided by the PhD supervisor.

For more info: https: zeevgross.net.technion.ac.il